Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Fennel
Fen′nel
(fĕn′nĕl)
, Noun.
[AS.
fenol
, finol
, from L. feniculum
, faeniculum
, dim. of fenum
, faenum
, hay: cf. F. fenouil
. Cf. Fenugreek
. Finochio
.] (Bot.)
A perennial plant of the genus
Fæniculum
(Fæniculum vulgare
), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds. Smell of sweetest
fennel
. Milton.
A sprig of
fennel
was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex. S. G. Goodrich.
Azorean fennel
, or Sweet fennel
(
– Fæniculum dulce
). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb. Dog’s fennel
(
– Anthemis Cotula
), a foul-smelling European weed; – called also mayweed
. Fennel flower
(Bot.)
, an herb (
– Nigella
) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. Nigella Damascena
is common in gardens. Nigella sativa
furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the “fitches” mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25). Fennel water
(Med.)
, the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative.
– Giant fennel
(
– Ferula communis
), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus. Hog's fennel
, a European plant (
Peucedanum officinale
) looking something like fennel.Webster 1828 Edition
Fennel
FEN'NEL
,Noun.
A fragrant plant of the genus Anethum, cultivated in gardens.