lovage

[ luhv-ij ]

noun

1. a European plant, Levisticum officinale, of the parsley family, having coarsely toothed compound leaves, cultivated in gardens.

lovage

/ ˈlʌvɪdʒ /

noun

1. a European umbelliferous plant, Levisticum officinale, with greenish-white flowers and aromatic fruits, which are used for flavouring food
2. Scotch lovage
   a similar and related plant, Ligusticum scoticum, of N Europe

Word History and Origins

Origin of lovage¹

1350–1400; Middle English loveache < Anglo-French luvesche (by association with ache celery < Latin apium ) < Old English lufestice (by syncope) < Medieval Latin levistica, for Late Latin levisticum, alteration of Latin ligusticum lovage, noun use of neuter of Ligusticus Ligurian

Word History and Origins

Origin of lovage¹

C14 loveache, from Old French luvesche, from Late Latin levisticum, from Latin ligusticum, literally: Ligurian (plant)

Example Sentences

The same effect may be produced by poultice mixed with levisticum (lovage) or leaves of parsley.

From Project Gutenberg

Named from the country Liguria, where the officinal Lovage of the gardens abounds.

From Project Gutenberg

The Highlanders have the same opinion of the virtues of Lovage.

From Project Gutenberg

Lovage cleers the sight, takes away redness and Freckles from the Face.

From Project Gutenberg

Take the juice of smallage or lovage, and mix with any kind of bait.

From Project Gutenberg