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alexanders

[ al-ig-zan-derz, -zahn- ]
/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dərz, -ˈzɑn- /
|

noun, plural al·ex·an·ders. (used with a singular or plural verb)

a tall plant, Angelica atropurpurea, of the parsley family, having broad clusters of small white flowers.
a related plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, having yellowish flowers.

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Nearby words

  1. alexander's deafness,
  2. alexander, grover cleveland,
  3. alexander, samuel,
  4. alexander, sir william,
  5. alexander, william,
  6. alexanderson,
  7. alexandra,
  8. alexandra feodorovna,
  9. alexandretta,
  10. alexandria

Origin of alexanders

probably < French alexandre(s); compare Middle English alisaundre (< OF), Old English alexandre < Medieval Latin (petroselīnum) Alexandrīnum a name for Smyrnium olusatrum, and synonymous with Medieval Latin petroselīnum Macedonicum, apparently through association of Macedonia with Alexander the Great; cf. parsley

Definition for alexanders (2 of 3)

alexander

[ al-ig-zan-der, -zahn- ]
/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dər, -ˈzɑn- /

noun (often initial capital letter)

a cocktail made with crème de cacao with gin or brandy (brandy alexander) and sweet cream.

Origin of alexander

First recorded in 1925–30; probably after the proper name

Definition for alexanders (3 of 3)

Alexander

[ al-ig-zan-der, -zahn- ]
/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dər, -ˈzɑn- /

noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for alexanders

British Dictionary definitions for alexanders (1 of 2)

alexanders

/ (ˌælɪɡˈzɑːndəz) /

noun

a biennial umbelliferous plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, native to S Europe, with dense umbels of yellow-green flowers and black fruits
golden alexanders an umbelliferous plant, Zizia aurea, of North America, having yellow flowers in compound umbels

Word Origin for alexanders

Old English, from Medieval Latin alexandrum, probably (through association in folk etymology with Alexander the Great) changed from Latin holus atrum black vegetable

British Dictionary definitions for alexanders (2 of 2)

Alexander

/ (ˌælɪɡˈzɑːndə) /

noun

Harold (Rupert Leofric George), Earl Alexander of Tunis. 1891–1969, British field marshal in World War II, who organized the retreat from Dunkirk and commanded in North Africa (1943) and Sicily and Italy (1944–45); governor general of Canada (1946–52); British minister of defence (1952–54)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for alexanders

Alexander

masc. proper name, from Latin, from Greek Alexandros "defender of men," from alexein "to ward off, keep off, turn (something) away, defend, protect" + aner (genitive andros) "man" (see anthropo-). The first element is related to Greek alke "protection, help, strength, power, courage," alkimos "strong;" cognate with Sanskrit raksati "protects," Old English ealgian "to defend." As a kind of cocktail, it is attested from 1930.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper