asafetida

[ as-uh-fet-i-duh ]

noun

1. a soft, brown, lumpy gum resin having a bitter, acrid taste and an obnoxious odor, obtained from the roots of several Near Eastern plants belonging to the genus Ferula, of the parsley family, used in folk medicine to prevent disease and in Indian cuisine as a flavoring, and formerly used in medicine as a carminative and antispasmodic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of asafetida¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin asafoetida, equivalent to asa (from Persian āzā “mastic, gum”) + Latin foetida, feminine of foetidus; fetid

Example Sentences

"Please, sir, I put asafetida in the furnace," said Stover in frightened tones.

From Project Gutenberg

Asafetida internally has been found to be curative, the parasite being destroyed and subsequently absorbed or discharged.

From Project Gutenberg

Women tightened up about the throat and dared to wonder whether he wore a chest-protector and asafetida bag.

From Project Gutenberg

He is made to smell a red piece of cloth strongly scented with musk; or a blue piece of cloth scented with asafetida, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Here in the fifth court the overpowering smell of asafetida and oil is attractive enough to make a poor devil's mouth water.

From Project Gutenberg