anise

noun

an·​ise ˈa-nəs How to pronounce anise (audio)
 also  ə-ˈnēs
: a Eurasian annual herb (Pimpinella anisum) of the carrot family having carminative and aromatic seeds
also : aniseed

Examples of anise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the nose, find an enticing bouquet of mint, cinnamon, anise and brown sugar, followed by a palate that balances notes of ginger, tobacco and blood orange with a long, dramatic finish of allspice, herbs, tobacco and oak. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 2 Dec. 2024 The Peychaud’s Bitters, all cherry and anise as opposed to Angostura Bitters’ cinnamon and clove, combines with the herbal pop of absinthe and the spicy backbone of the rye to create something wholly new. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2024 A touch of mint and anise adds a refreshing, herbal note. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 Tasting notes include spiced apple and honey with a finish of aged oak, leather, apple, earth and anise. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anise 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English anis, from Anglo-French, from Latin anisum, from Greek annēson, anison

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anise was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near anise

Cite this Entry

“Anise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anise. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

anise

noun
an·​ise ˈan-əs How to pronounce anise (audio)
: an herb that is related to the carrot and produces seeds with an aroma
also : aniseed

Medical Definition

anise

noun
an·​ise ˈan-əs How to pronounce anise (audio)
: an herb (Pimpinella anisum) of the family Umbelliferae having carminative and aromatic seeds
also : aniseed

More from Merriam-Webster on anise

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