alexanders

American  

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

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

plural

alexanders

1. a tall plant, Angelica atropurpurea, of the parsley family, having broad clusters of small white flowers.

2. a related plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, having yellowish flowers.

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alexanders British  

/ ˌælɪɡˈzɑːndəz /

noun

1. a biennial umbelliferous plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, native to S Europe, with dense umbels of yellow-green flowers and black fruits

2. an umbelliferous plant, Zizia aurea, of North America, having yellow flowers in compound umbels

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Etymology

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; parsley

Example Sentences

Such, to take a single case, is the history of the common alexanders, now a familiar weed around villages and farmyards, but only introduced into England as a pot-herb about the eighth or ninth century.

From Falling in Love With Other Essays on More Exact Branches of Science by Allen, Grant