wormwood

[ wurm-wood ]

/ ˈwɜrmˌwʊd /

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noun

any composite herb or low shrub of the genus Artemisia.

a bitter, aromatic plant, A. absinthium, of the Old World, used as a vermifuge and a tonic, and as an ingredient in absinthe.

something bitter, grievous, or extremely unpleasant.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of wormwood

1350–1400; late Middle English wormwode (see worm, wood¹); replacing Middle English wermode,Old English wermōd; cognate with German Wermut;see vermouth

Words nearby wormwood

wormseed, wormseed oil, worm's-eye view, worm snake, worm wheel, wormwood, wormy, worn, worn-out, worn to a frazzle, worried

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wormwood in a sentence

The taste is intense, with hard-hitting wormwood flavor and lemony undertones.
The Absinthe-Minded Porteños of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Strong fennel and wormwood hit the back of my tongue along with a dryness from the barrel and hints of citrus from the chamomile.
The Absinthe-Minded Porteños of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But voters are more likely to go for Gabriel Ebert, who plays Mr. Wormwood in Matilda the Musical with bitter fun.
Who’ll Win a 2013 Tony Award—and Who Deserves To|Janice Kaplan|June 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Like, Mrs. Wormwood very much wants to be the center of attention.
‘Matilda’ Star Mara Wilson Reviews ‘Matilda the Musical’|Ramin Setoodeh|April 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In a strong man's love for his home and his mate was it rooted, and drew therefrom the wormwood of love thwarted and spurned.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
The Act of 1903 had the cordial support of a small minority of Nationalists; but to the majority it was gall and wormwood.
Is Ulster Right?|Anonymous
From a tincture prepared from the dried tops of wormwood boiled in proof spirit.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
Lopez was going to send food and wine into the house, which would be gall and wormwood to her father.
The Prime Minister|Anthony Trollope
This last interruption, in which even His mother joined, must have been gall and wormwood to that tender heart.
Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of Matthew|John Monro Gibson

British Dictionary definitions for wormwood

wormwood

/ (ˈwɜːmˌwʊd) /

noun

Also called: absinthe any of various plants of the chiefly N temperate genus Artemisia, esp A. absinthium, a European plant yielding a bitter extract used in making absinthe: family Asteraceae (composites)

something that embitters, such as a painful experience

Word Origin for wormwood

C15: changed (through influence of worm and wood 1) from Old English wormōd, wermōd; related to Old High German werrnuata, German Wermut; see vermouth

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

wormwood

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Origin of wormwood

Words nearby wormwood

Words related to wormwood

How to use wormwood in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wormwood

Word Origin for wormwood