anisey

adjective

an·​isey

ˈa-nə-sē

: of, relating to, or resembling anise : having a smell or taste similar to that of fennel or licorice

In the South of France the basil plants are bushy, with very small green leaves; these have a stronger, more anisey flavor than the larger leaf plants.

—Martha Rose Shulman, Gourmet Vegetarian Feasts, 1987

Whereas fennel is slightly anisey with a bitter note, cumin is penetratingly earthy with a sour overtone.

—Alice Arndt, Seasoning Savvy: How to Cook with Herbs, Spices, and Other Flavorings, 1999

We gnawed so much fennel that to this day I gag at a whiff of that anisey smell, even a pinch flavoring a stew.

—Steven Pressfield, Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae, 2005

Word History

Etymology

anise + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!