Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Fennel?

\Fen"nel\ (f[e^]n"n[e^]l), n. [AS. fenol, finol, from L. feniculum, faeniculum, dim. of fenum, faenum, hay: cf. F. fenouil. Cf. {Fenugreek}. {Finochio}.] (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus {F[ae]niculum} ({F. vulgare}), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds. Smell of sweetest fennel. --Milton. A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex. --S. G. Goodrich. {Azorean, or Sweet}, {fennel}, ({F[ae]niculum dulce}). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb. {Dog's fennel} ({Anthemis Cotula}), a foul-smelling European weed; -- called also {mayweed}. {Fennel flower} (Bot.), an herb ({Nigella}) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. {N. Damascena} is common in gardens. {N. sativa} furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the ``fitches'' mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25). {Fennel water} (Med.), the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative. {Giant fennel} ({Ferula communis}), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus. {Hog's fennel}, a European plant ({Peucedanum officinale}) looking something like fennel.