star anise

American  

noun

1. Also called Chinese anise.  a shrub or small tree, Illicium verum, of China, having white flowers that turn purple and bearing anise-scented, star-shaped clusters of carminative fruit.

2. the fruit of this tree or shrub, used as a spice.

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star anise British  

noun

1. a small Chinese evergreen tree ( Illicium verum ) yielding an aromatic oil

2. a spice produced from the star-shaped dried seed pods of this tree

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Etymology

Origin of star anise

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Star anise is particularly great with beef because when combined with onions, it makes the dish taste meatier.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2022

Star anise, bay leaf, sometimes some chinese 5 spice, cumin, coconut meat.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2018

Star anise Facebook Twitter Pinterest Star anise is a critical ingredient in Vietnamese pho.

From The Guardian • Oct. 12, 2015

Star anise has an aromatic taste, slightly bitter and acrid, and a very marked perfume of anise which with its star-like form gives the plant one of its names.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers