Main Entry:

cham·o·mile

Variant(s):

or cam·o·mile \ˈka-mə-ˌmī(-ə)l, -ˌmēl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English camemille, from Medieval Latin camomilla, modification of Latin chamaemelon, from Greek chamaimēlon, from chamai + mēlon apple

Date:

13th century

1: a perennial composite herb (Chamaemelum nobile syn. Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and North Africa with aromatic foliage and flower heads2: any of several composite plants (genera Matricaria and Anthemis) related to chamomile ; especially : an annual Eurasian herb (M. recutita syn. M. chamomilla) naturalized in North America3: the dried flower heads of chamomile that are often used in making tea and that yield an essential oil possessing medicinal properties

[chamomile illustration]