chamomile

cham·o·mile

noun \ˈka-mə-ˌmī(-ə)l, -ˌmēl\

Definition of CHAMOMILE

1

: a perennial composite herb (Chamaemelum nobile syn. Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and North Africa with aromatic foliage and flower heads

2

: 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 America

3

: the dried flower heads of chamomile that are often used in making tea and that yield an essential oil possessing medicinal properties

Variants of CHAMOMILE

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

Illustration of CHAMOMILE

Origin of CHAMOMILE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with CHAMOMILE

acetyl, airmobile, Ardabil, bearded seal, bidonville, blastocoel, bloodmobile, Bogomil, bookmobile, buffing wheel, campanile, carbon steel, cochineal, cockatiel, color wheel, commonweal, curb appeal, cut a deal, daisy wheel, difficile, dishabille, glockenspiel, goldenseal, Guayaquil, harbor seal, idler wheel, leopard seal, manchineel, megadeal, mercantile, orange peel, package deal, paddle wheel, pedal steel, pimpmobile, planet wheel, potter's wheel, reel-to-reel, sex appeal, skimobile, snob appeal, snowmobile, spinning reel, stainless steel, tracing wheel, under heel, waterwheel

cham·o·mile

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CHAMOMILE

1

a : a composite herb (Chamaemelum nobile synonym Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and North Africa having strong-scented foliage and flower heads that contain a bitter principle used as an antispasmodic or a diaphoretic b : any of several related composite plants (genera Anthemis and Matricaria); especially : a Eurasian herb of the genus Matricaria (M. recutita synonym M. chamomilla) naturalized in North America and having foliage and flower heads that contain the bitter principle found in chamomile (C. nobile)

2

: the dried flower heads of either of two chamomiles (Chamaemelum nobile and Matricaria recutita) used as aromatic bitters

Variants of CHAMOMILE

cham·o·mile or cam·o·mile \ˈkam-ə-ˌmīl, -ˌmēl\

Illustration of CHAMOMILE

chamomile

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Chamomile (Anthemis tomentosa)—Anthony J. Huxley

Any of the more than 100 species of Eurasian herbs that make up the genus Anthemis, in the aster family (Asteraceae); also, a similar plant in the genus Chamaemelum of the same family. Both genera have yellow or white ray flowers and yellow disk flowers. Several Anthemis species are cultivated as ornamentals, especially golden marguerite, or yellow chamomile (A. tinctoria). The strong-smelling mayweed (A. cotula) has been used in medicines and insecticides. Chamomile tea, used as a tonic and an antiseptic as well as in herbal remedies, is made from C. nobile, or A. nobilis.