Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Any of various aromatic North American perennial plants of the genus Osmorhiza of the parsley family, having compound leaves and clusters of small usually white flowers.
- noun An aromatic European perennial plant (Myrrhis odorata) in the parsley family, having compound leaves and compound umbels of small white flowers.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun fresh ferny leaves and green seeds used as garnish in salads and cold vegetables; dried seeds used in confectionery and liqueurs
- noun European herb with soft ferny leaves and white flowers
- noun aromatic resin that is burned as incense and used in perfume
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Middle English seseli, from Latin seselis, from Greek.]
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Examples
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reesetee commented on the word sweet cicely
Also called myrrh.
October 11, 2007
avivamagnolia commented on the word sweet cicely
Botanical Name: Myrrhis odorata
Synonyms---British Myrrh. Anise. Great (Sweet) Chervil. Sweet Chervil. Smooth Cicely. Sweet Bracken. Sweet-fern. Sweet-Cus. Sweet-Humlock. Sweets. The Roman Plant. Shepherd's Needle. Smoother Cicely. Cow Chervil.
Parts Used---The whole plant and seeds.
Habitat---Mountain pastures from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus. In Britain, in the hilly districts of Wales, northern England and Scotland.
Description---The name Myrrhis odorata is derived from the Greek word for perfume, because of its myrrh-like smell.
Medicinal Action and Uses---Aromatic, stomachic, carminative and expectorant. Useful in coughs and flatulence, and as a gentle stimulant for debilitated stomachs. The fresh root may be eaten freely or used in infusion with brandy or water. A valuable tonic for girls from 15 to 18 years of age. The roots are antiseptic, and a decoction is used for the bites of vipers and mad dogs The distilled water is said to be diuretic, and helpful in pleurisy, and the essence to be aphrodisiac. The decoction of roots in wine is also said to be effective for consumption, in morning and evening doses of 4 to 8 OZ., while the balsam and ointment cure green wounds, stinking ulcers, and ease the pain of gout.
From "A Modern Herbal" by Mrs. M. Grieve
January 18, 2009