angelica

[ an-jel-i-kuh ]

/ ænˈdʒɛl ɪ kə /

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noun

Also called archangel. any plant belonging to the genus Angelica, of the parsley family, especially A. archangelica, cultivated in Europe for its aromatic odor and medicinal root and for its stalks, which are candied and eaten.

the candied stalks of this plant.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of angelica

1570–80; <Medieval Latin (herba) angelicaangelic (herb)

Words nearby angelica

angel food cake, angel gear, angel hair, angelhood, angelic, angelica, angelica tree, Angelic Doctor, Angelico, Angelina, angel investor

Other definitions for angelica (2 of 2)

Angelica

[ an-jel-i-kuh ]

/ ænˈdʒɛl ɪ kə /

noun

a female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use angelica in a sentence

A worker there had previously told Yang that a walk-in would be fine, but a receptionist now said they were too busy to treat Angelica.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.|by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica|November 1, 2021|ProPublica
I’d have more energy for other cases — to an appreciation for the parts of Angelica’s story that she didn’t know — She’s in survival mode.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.|by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica|November 1, 2021|ProPublica
Angelica sat silently in the back seat as Yang drove to the clinic.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.|by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica|November 1, 2021|ProPublica
When they pulled up, they saw Angelica sitting in the backyard, chatting with a friend.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.|by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica|November 1, 2021|ProPublica

A Texas grandmother named Solidad Odunuga offers a glimpse into what the future could hold for Angelica’s mother, who may wind up raising her baby.
Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.|by Caroline Chen, photography by Talia Herman, special to ProPublica|November 1, 2021|ProPublica
No one feels it necessary to tell Angelica that Bunny was once her father's lover.
House of Cads: Growing Up Amid the Weirdness of Bloomsbury|Jessica Ferri|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1975, after the death of both Vanessa and Duncan, Angelica was encouraged by a friend to write the story of her life.
House of Cads: Growing Up Amid the Weirdness of Bloomsbury|Jessica Ferri|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Soaps are thriving,” says Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, CBS Daytime.
How the Daytime Soap Came Back From the Dead|Tim Teeman|January 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Dec. 1997, a short time after giving birth to Angelica, Taylor-Wood was diagnosed with colon cancer, which she beat.
Meet ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Director Sam Taylor-Johnson: The Cancer-Surviving Badass|Marlow Stern|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Tancredi joins Garibaldi and marries the rich bourgeois beauty Angelica.
Favorite Historical Novels|Stella Tillyard|November 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
And the King took a large stick of angelica in his hand & went home therewith to the lodging of Queen Tyri.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson
Now Tyri sat a-weeping in her hall even as the King came in, but he said to her: Here is a great stalk of angelica for thee.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson
Resembles garden angelica, but placed by some botanists in a separate, though allied genus.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
Beside him he saw that sweetest of women, Donna Angelica, of truly angelic mien.
The conquest of Rome|Matilde Serao
Sangiorgio did not smoke, however, Donna Angelica's engaging smile notwithstanding.
The conquest of Rome|Matilde Serao

British Dictionary definitions for angelica

angelica

/ (ænˈdʒɛlɪkə) /

noun

Also called: archangel any tall umbelliferous plant of the genus Angelica, having compound leaves and clusters of small white or greenish flowers, esp A. archangelica, the aromatic seeds, leaves, and stems of which are used in medicine and cookery

the candied stems of this plant, used for decorating and flavouring sweet dishes

Word Origin for angelica

C16: from Medieval Latin (herba) angelica angelic (herb)

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