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| n. 1. a. A Eurasian plant (Foeniculum vulgare) in the parsley family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers grouped in umbels, cultivated for its aromatic seeds and edible stalks. b. The seeds or stalks of this plant. 2. A variety of fennel whose seeds are used as flavoring. Also called sweet fennel. 3. A variety of fennel whose bulbous, celerylike stalks are eaten as a vegetable. Also called finocchio, Florence fennel. 4. See giant fennel. [Middle English fenel, from Old English fenol, from Latin fēnuculum, variant of faeniculum, diminutive of faenum, fēnum, hay; see dhē(i)- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]  (click for a larger image) fennelFoeniculum vulgare |
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