alexanders
[ al-ig-zan-derz, -zahn- ]
/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dərz, -ˈzɑn- /
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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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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
Words nearby alexanders
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for alexanders
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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