Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Illicium
‖
Il-li′ci-um
,Noun.
[So called, in allusion to its aroma, from L.
illicium
an allurement.] (Bot.)
A genus of Asiatic and American magnoliaceous trees, having star-shaped fruit; star anise. The fruit of
Illicium anisatum
is used as a spice in India, and its oil is largely used in Europe for flavoring cordials, being almost identical with true oil of anise.