cicely
noun
a plant, Myrrhis odorata, of the parsley family, having a fragrant aroma and sometimes used as a potherb.
cicely
1 American
[sis-uh-lee]
/ ˈsɪs ə li /
noun
-
cicelies
plural
Cicely
2
American
[sis-uh-lee]
/ ˈsɪs ə li /
noun
cicely
British
/ ˈsɪsəlɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of cicely
1590–1600; < Latin seseli < Greek séselis, séseli hartwort, respelling through influence of proper name Cicely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Be sure you know the difference between sweet cicely and the poisonous water hemlock before tasting the former's spicy root.
From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Neltje Blanchan
Sweet fern is the vulgar name, for sweet chervill or cicely; but I never found that plant wild in England.-J.
From The Natural History of Wiltshire by John Aubrey
Graceful in gesture, with delicate, fernlike leaves and anise-scented roots that children, like rabbits, delight to nibble, the sweet cicely attracts attention by its fragrance, however insignificant its flowers.
From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Neltje Blanchan
Cicely Muldoon, a former superintendent of Yosemite, said the swap would set a dangerous precedent by signaling that protected natural spaces can be bartered away to private interests.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Still, the park service superintendent at the time, Cicely Muldoon, insisted the agency was committed to maintaining the ranches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2025
Her daughter also inspired a musical choice in “Easy Listening,” the latest Joe’s Pub series: a Lana Del Rey song; Cicely had been a fan in high school.
From New York Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cicely Wilson's work doesn't end when she leaves her day job as a lactation consultant, doula, and child care expert.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2023
I knocked and Penelope and Cicely, Mrs. Holton’s girls, looked up at me from where they were playing on the floor.
From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis
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