cicely

¹ American  

[sis-uh-lee] / ˈsɪs ə li /

noun

plural

cicelies

1. a plant, Myrrhis odorata, of the parsley family, having a fragrant aroma and sometimes used as a potherb.

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Cicely ² American  

[sis-uh-lee] / ˈsɪs ə li /

noun

1. a female given name, form of Cecilia.

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cicely British  

/ ˈsɪsəlɪ /

noun

1. short for sweet cicely

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Etymology

Origin of cicely

1590–1600; < Latin seseli < Greek séselis, séseli hartwort, respelling through influence of proper name Cicely

Example Sentences

Graceful in gesture, with delicate, fernlike leaves and anise-scented roots that children, like rabbits, delight to nibble, the sweet cicely attracts attention by its fragrance, however insignificant its flowers.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

Be sure you know the difference between sweet cicely and the poisonous water hemlock before tasting the former's spicy root.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

Sweet fern is the vulgar name, for sweet chervill or cicely; but I never found that plant wild in England.-J.

From The Natural History of Wiltshire by Aubrey, John