sweet flag

noun

1. a plant, Acorus calamus, of the arum family, having long, sword-shaped leaves and a pungent, aromatic rootstock.

sweet flag

noun

1. an aroid marsh plant, Acorus calamus, having swordlike leaves, small greenish flowers, and aromatic roots Also calledcalamus

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet flag¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet flag¹

C18: see flag ²

Example Sentences

Sweet flag was abundant, and close by grew a clump of dark green, spicy mint.

From Project Gutenberg

They picked some tall blue too, and pulled sweet-flag to eat.

From Project Gutenberg

There, close to the window, hangs a sprig of sweet-flag, banishing all evil.

From Project Gutenberg

Sweet-Flag deteriorates with age and is subject to the attacks of worms.

From Project Gutenberg

It resembles sweet-flag (Calamus) and has been mistaken for it.

From Project Gutenberg