camomile

English

Matricaria recutita

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English [Term?], first attested 1265, from Old French camomille, from Latin chamaemelon, from Ancient Greek χαμαίμηλον (khamaímēlon, earth-apple), from χαμαί (khamaí, on the ground) + μῆλον (mêlon, apple). So called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

Pronunciation

Noun

camomile (countable and uncountable, plural camomiles)

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

Derived terms

Translations

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Further reading

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