asafetida

[ as-uh-fet-i-duh ]

/ ˌæs əˈfɛt ɪ də /

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noun

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.

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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

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Also a·sa·foet·i·da; as·fet·i·da

[as-fet-i-duh] /æsˈfɛt ɪ də/

Also called devil's dung, food of the gods.

Origin of asafetida

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

Words nearby asafetida

aryl group, arytenoid, as, Asa, ASA/BS, asafetida, asafoetida, Asahigawa, asalam-wa-leikum, as all getout, Asama

How to use asafetida in a sentence

"Please, sir, I put asafetida in the furnace," said Stover in frightened tones.
The Varmint|Owen Johnson
Asafetida internally has been found to be curative, the parasite being destroyed and subsequently absorbed or discharged.
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon
Women tightened up about the throat and dared to wonder whether he wore a chest-protector and asafetida bag.
Just Around the Corner|Fannie Hurst
He is made to smell a red piece of cloth strongly scented with musk; or a blue piece of cloth scented with asafetida, etc.
Montessori Elementary Materials|Maria Montessori

Here in the fifth court the overpowering smell of asafetida and oil is attractive enough to make a poor devil's mouth water.
The Little Clay Cart|(Attributed To) King Shudraka