illicium

2 definitions found

illicium - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Illicium \Il*li"ci*um\, n. [So called, in allusion to its aroma,
     from L. illicium an allurement.] (Bot.)
     A genus of Asiatic and American magnoliaceous trees, having
     star-shaped fruit; star anise. The fruit of Illicium anisatum
      is used as a spice in India, and its oil is largely
     used in Europe for flavoring cordials, being almost identical
     with true oil of anise.
     [1913 Webster]

illicium - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Illicium
      n 1: anise trees: evergreen trees with aromatic leaves [syn:
           Illicium, genus Illicium]