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 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

[chamomile illustration]