fennel

[fen-l]

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noun

a plant, Foeniculum vulgare, of the parsley family, having feathery leaves and umbels of small, yellow flowers.

Also fennel seed. the aromatic fruits of this plant, used in cookery and medicine.

any of various more or less similar plants, as Ferula communis (giant fennel), a tall, ornamental plant.

Origin of fennel

before 900; Middle English fenel, Old English fenol, variant of finu(g)l < Vulgar Latin *fenuclum, for Latin fēniculum, faeniculum, equivalent to faeni- (combining form of faenum hay) + -culum -cle¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fennel

fiber, marijuana, cannabis, hashish, flax, bhang, jute, bang, abaca, manila, ambary, kef, kif

Examples from the Web for fennel

Contemporary Examples of fennel

At first, the taste is bright and mostly of fennel, then it slides into anise, and then fades away with a minty finish.
The Absinthe-Minded Porteños of Buenos Aires
Jeff Campagna
March 10, 2014
Trim the fennel bulbs, cut lengthwise in half, and cut out most of the core.
Celeb Chefs’ Favorite BBQ Recipes
Jacquelynn D. Powers
July 1, 2011
Spoon a little of the mixture, with the fennel seeds and pepper, over the top of each one, and set aside.
Celeb Chefs’ Favorite BBQ Recipes
Jacquelynn D. Powers
July 1, 2011
Set out bowls of the sauce for dipping, or let guests spoon it over their chicken and fennel.
Celeb Chefs’ Favorite BBQ Recipes
Jacquelynn D. Powers
July 1, 2011
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, fennel seeds, and black pepper.
Celeb Chefs’ Favorite BBQ Recipes
Jacquelynn D. Powers
July 1, 2011

Historical Examples of fennel

Fennel, for instance, emblemised flattery, and columbine ingratitude.
Storyology
Benjamin Taylor
Fennel is sometimes propagated by a division of the roots and by offsets.
The Field and Garden Vegetables of America
Fearing Burr
Follow me then; and on your love for Fennel, see nothing of the way in which I lead you.
Robin Hood
Paul Creswick
"Allan-a-Dale and Fennel shall go with you, dear heart," said Robin.
Robin Hood
Paul Creswick
Then they chew thyme or rock-parsley or fennel, or rub their hands with these plants.
The City of the Sun
Tommaso Campanella

British Dictionary definitions for fennel

fennel

noun

a strong-smelling yellow-flowered umbelliferous plant, Foeniculum vulgare, whose seeds and feathery leaves are used to season and flavour foodSee also finocchio

another name for mayweed

Word Origin for fennel

Old English fenol, from Latin faeniculum fennel, diminutive of faenum hay

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 fennel

Old English fenol, finul, perhaps via (or influenced by) Old French fenoil or directly from Vulgar Latin fenuculum, from Latin feniculum, diminutive of fenum, faenum "hay," probably literally "produce" (see fecund). Apparently so called from its hay-like appearance and sweet odor.