nigella

British  

/ naɪˈdʒɛlə /

noun

1. any plant of the ranunculaceous genus Nigella, from the Mediterranean and W Asia, esp N. damascena See love-in-a-mist

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Etymology

Origin of nigella

New Latin, diminutive of Latin niger black, from the colour of the seeds

Example Sentences

Fragrant sweet peas, annual poppies, edible calendula and otherworldly nigella will thrive if sown in the soil now.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2022

"I like to pair dishes, like a Margherita pizza, with bold, unconventional flavors, like coriander and nigella seeds," says recipe developer Nik Sharma.

From Salon • Dec. 10, 2021

Make the dressing: In a measuring cup or small bowl, combine the honey, rose harissa, soy sauce, olive oil, lime zest and juice, and nigella seeds.

From Washington Post • Sep. 1, 2020

Coriander seeds add a pleasing zestiness, and I love the savoury hit of Usmani’s nigella seeds, which performs a similar role to Jaffrey and Patel’s more garlicky asafoetida, but looks more attractive.

From The Guardian • May 12, 2016

Of nigella he writes: “Take hede that ye take not to muche of this herbe, for if ye go beyonde the mesure it bryngeth deth.”

From The Old English Herbals by Rohde, Eleanour Sinclair