Definitions

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the brownish gum resin of various plants; has strong taste and odor; formerly used as an antispasmodic

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Medieval Latin asafoetida, from Persian ازا / آزا (azā, āzā, "mastic") + Latin foetida, feminine of foetidus ("bad-smelling").

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Examples

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  • Known as Hing in Indian cuisine.

    March 5, 2008

  • a.k.a. devil's dung

    September 18, 2009