sweet cicely

American  

noun

1. any of several plants, as a European plant, Myrrhis odorata, of the parsley family, used as a potherb, or certain related North American plants of the genus Osmorhiza.

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sweet cicely British  

noun

1. Also called: myrrh.  an aromatic umbelliferous European plant, Myrrhis odorata, having compound leaves and clusters of small white flowers

2. the leaves of this plant, formerly used in cookery for their flavour of aniseed

3. any of various plants of the umbelliferous genus Osmorhiza, of Asia and America, having aromatic roots and clusters of small white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of sweet cicely

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

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 Blanchan, Neltje

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 Blanchan, Neltje