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an·ise

(ănĭs)

1. An annual, aromatic Mediterranean herb (Pimpinella anisum) in the parsley family, cultivated for its seedlike fruits and the oil obtained from them.

2. The seedlike fruit of this plant, used to flavor foods, liqueurs, and candies. Also called aniseed.

[Middle English anis, from Old French, from Latin anīsum, from Greek annēson, annīson, anīson; akin to anēthon, annēthon, dill, and perhaps from or akin to Egyptian jnś.t, a kind of plant used in preparing refreshing drinks (possibly anise).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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