fennel

[ fen-l ]

noun

1. a plant, Foeniculum vulgare, of the parsley family, having feathery leaves and umbels of small, yellow flowers.
2. Also fennel seed. the aromatic fruits of Foeniculum vulgare, used in cooking and medicine.
3. any of various plants more or less similar to Foeniculum vulgare, such as Ferula communis giant fennel, a tall, ornamental plant.

fennel

/ ˈfɛnəl /

noun

1. See finocchio
   a strong-smelling yellow-flowered umbelliferous plant, Foeniculum vulgare , whose seeds and feathery leaves are used to season and flavour food See also finocchio
2. See mayweed
   another name for mayweed

Word History and Origins

Origin of fennel¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English fenel, Old English fenol, variant of finu ( g ) l from unattested Vulgar Latin fenuclum, for Latin fēniculum, faeniculum, equivalent to faeni- (combining form of faenum “hay”) + -culum -cle ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fennel¹

Old English fenol , from Latin faeniculum fennel, diminutive of faenum hay

Example Sentences

You could roast sliced fennel or kale leaves, letting them sweat and crisp on the sheet tray.

From Washington Post

Like the marinade for the pork, vibrant with garlic and fennel.

From Washington Post

The delicate fish, served on shaved fennel, sports precise hatch marks from the grill.

From Washington Post

The oven’s heat sweetens the fennel and onion and caramelizes the sugars in the oranges, adding another dimension to my all-star trio.

From Washington Post

With winter citrus on its way out and fennel just sprouting from the ground, it’s a dish I think of as easing us from one season into the next very, very gently.

From Washington Post

At first, the taste is bright and mostly of fennel, then it slides into anise, and then fades away with a minty finish.

From The Daily Beast

Strong fennel and wormwood hit the back of my tongue along with a dryness from the barrel and hints of citrus from the chamomile.

From The Daily Beast

The entrée was smoked flat-iron beef with caramelized mint fennel, kabocha pumpkin, yellow cauliflower, and baby bok choy.

From The Daily Beast

Trim the fennel bulbs, cut lengthwise in half, and cut out most of the core.

From The Daily Beast

Spoon a little of the mixture, with the fennel seeds and pepper, over the top of each one, and set aside.

From The Daily Beast

The Plain of Marathon was so named from the abundance of Fennel (μαραθρον) growing on it.

From Project Gutenberg

A tincture prepared from fennel seeds and fresh young fennel.

From Project Gutenberg

In Ohio and other Western States where the ox-eye daisy is not common, children use instead the bloom of the despised dog-fennel.

From Project Gutenberg

May dog fennel grow upon his ancestors' graves, and the grandsons of his children be born without eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Republicans are the useful; Democrats the noxious—corn and wheat against the dog fennel and Canada thistles.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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