camomile

English

camomile

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English, 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.
    2. Chamaemelum nobile (formerly Anthemis nobilis), English chamomile or Roman chamomile, a ground cover with fragrant foliage.
  2. Any of several other similar plants. (See below)
  3. Short for a camomile tea, an herbal tisane made from camomile blossoms.

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Further reading

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