fennel

[ fen-l ]

/ ˈfɛn l /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fennel ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

fenian, fenian cycle, fenland, fenman, fennec, fennel, fennelflower, fenny, fenoprofen, fenrir, fens

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Drain the fennel sticks, pat dry, and place on the platter next to the wings.
Celeb Chefs’ Favorite BBQ Recipes|Jacquelynn D. Powers|July 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Captain Fennel turned his head and gazed at her with a hard stare.
Johnny Ludlow, Fifth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
Their flavor is sweet, aromatic, similar to that of the Rose, fennel or anise.
American Pomology|J. A. Warder
He had waited there a short interval, when Mrs. Fennel burst in, wild with excitement.
Johnny Ludlow, Fifth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
Then they chew thyme or rock parsley or fennel, or rub their hands with these plants.
Ideal Commonwealths|Various
In this order they move along the crowded streets, which are strewn with fennel, green branches, and leaves.
Le Morvan, [A District of France,] Its Wild Sports, Vineyards and Forests; with Legends, Antiquities, Rural and Local Sketches|Henri de Crignelle

British Dictionary definitions for fennel

fennel

/ (ˈfɛnəl) /

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

fennel

noun

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Origin of fennel

Examples from the Web for fennel

British Dictionary definitions for fennel

fennel

noun

Word Origin for fennel