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aniseed

[an-uh-seed, an-is-seed]
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noun
  1. the aromatic seed of anise, the oil of which (anise oil, aniseed oil, oil of anise) is used in the manufacture of anethole, in medicine as a carminative and expectorant, and in cookery and liqueurs for its licoricelike flavor.
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Origin of aniseed

First recorded in 1350–1400, aniseed is from the Middle English word anece seed. See anise, seed
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for aniseed

Historical Examples

  • Her little weakness, aniseed, did not make her vicious, but just.

    The Fortune of the Rougons

    Emile Zola

  • As I noticed the smell of aniseed, I accepted the offer at once.

  • He gave him the little bottle of aniseed, opening it as he did so.

  • Oil of aniseed, spread on the bait, will attract them into a trap.

  • Illicie, the Aniseed tribe; and Magnolie, the Magnolia tribe.

British Dictionary definitions for aniseed

aniseed

noun
  1. the liquorice-flavoured aromatic seeds of the anise plant, used medicinally for expelling intestinal gas and in cookery as a flavouring, esp in cakes and confectionsAlso called: anise
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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 aniseed

n.

late 14c., a contraction of anise seed (n.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper