WikiWord

English

camomile

/ˈkæ.məˌmaɪl/ · noun

Meaning

  1. An asteracean plant with a fragrance reminiscent of apples:
  2. Matricaria chamomilla, German chamomile or Hungarian chamomile, with fragrant flowers used for tea, and as an herbal remedy.
  3. Chamaemelum nobile (formerly Anthemis nobilis), English chamomile or Roman chamomile, a ground cover with fragrant foliage.
  4. Any of several other similar plants. (See below)
  5. Ellipsis of camomile tea.

Etymology / origin

From Middle English camamille, first attested 1265, from Old French camomille, from Late Latin camomilla, from Latin chamaemelon, from Ancient Greek χαμαίμηλον (khamaímēlon, literally “earth-apple”), from χαμαί (khamaí, “on the ground”) + μῆλον (mêlon, “apple”). So called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

Related words

Descendant words

Sources

No citations have been attached yet.