cicely

[sis-uh-lee]

noun, plural cic·e·lies.

a plant, Myrrhis odorata, of the parsley family, having a fragrant aroma and sometimes used as a potherb.

Origin of cicely

1590–1600; < Latin seseli < Greek séselis, séseli hartwort, respelling through influence of proper name Cicely

Cicely

[sis-uh-lee]

noun

a female given name, form of Cecilia.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for cicely

Historical Examples of cicely

Cicely Howe has been teasing me to stop over and go with her.
The Very Small Person
Annie Hamilton Donnell
Nothing was too large for Cicely's good-will, nothing too small.
Aunt Deborah
Mary Russell Mitford
"I sang to—to—my papa," said Cicely—tears springing to her eyes.
Little Ferns For Fanny's Little Friends
Fanny Fern
After school was over he said to her, "Do you sing, Cicely?"
Little Ferns For Fanny's Little Friends
Fanny Fern
Cicely and Agnes were quite aware that their religious sentiments were alike.
For the Master's Sake
Emily Sarah Holt

British Dictionary definitions for cicely

cicely

noun plural -lies

short for sweet cicely

Word Origin for cicely

C16: from Latin seselis, from Greek, of obscure origin; influenced in spelling by the English proper name Cicely

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 cicely

Cicely

fem. proper name, an alteration or nativization of Cecilia. The plant (late 16c.) is Latin seselis, from Greek seselis.