fennel

[fen-l]

noun

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

2. Also fennel seed the aromatic fruits of Foeniculum vulgare, used in cooking and medicine.

3. any of various plants more or less similar to Foeniculum vulgare, such as Ferula communis giant fennel, a tall, ornamental plant.

fennel

/ ˈfɛnəl /

noun

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

2. another name for mayweed

Word History and Origins

Origin of fennel¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English fenel, Old English fenol, variant of finu ( g ) l from unattested Vulgar Latin fenuclum, for Latin fēniculum, faeniculum, equivalent to faeni- (combining form of faenum “hay”) + -culum -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fennel¹

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

Example Sentences

I added a little more butter, then, with a thrill of reckless curiosity, drizzled in maple syrup, white miso, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds and oregano, watching each addition dissolve and bloom.

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The packaging for Molecule pills often lists "natural ingredients" such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract.

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Crispy spare ribs with a mango and fennel salad were delicious and inspired, despite my typical aversion to ribs.

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This one plays in high notes: the citrus lifts, the fennel gives a soft anise hum, and the sugar teases out the squash’s own mellow sweetness.

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Roots and vegetables are natural fits: turnips, parsnips, cauliflower, mushrooms, roasted eggplant, fennel, sunchokes.

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