angelica

noun an·gel·i·ca \ an-ˈje-li-kə \

|Updated on: 29 May 2018

Definition of angelica

1 a : any of a genus (Angelica) of herbs of the carrot family; especially : a Eurasian biennial or perennial (A. archangelica) whose roots and seeds yield a flavoring oil and whose young stems are often candied

b : a confection prepared from angelica

2 capitalized : a sweet fortified wine

Recent Examples of angelica from the Web

Plant angelica, coreopsis, dill, fennel, and yarrow to attract them.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "10 Insects You Should Actually Want Around Your Plants," 11 May 2016
Orange Blossom mixes with water lily, orris, and balsamic vetiver for a sharp and fresh floral scent while Tuberose Angelica is a richer cologne that blends white florals and angelica with warmer notes of amberwood.

— sunhee grinnell, Vanities, "Jo Malone London Taps Poppy Delevingne to Reimagine Her Favorite Scents," 26 Jan. 2018
Case in point: The new well line Street Pumas, custom-distilled in Spain with juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon peel, sweet orange peel, and bitter orange peel, blows the cheap stuff out of the water.

— john debary, Bloomberg.com, "These Are Some of Our Favorite Spirits From 2017," 22 Dec. 2017
After dancing, guests enjoyed a meal of angelica greens and classic Savannah shrimp and grits.

— gillian hearst simonds, Town & Country, "Southern Charm," 3 Jan. 2013
Orange Blossom mixes with water lily, orris, and balsamic vetiver for a sharp and fresh floral scent while Tuberose Angelica is a richer cologne that blends white florals and angelica with warmer notes of amberwood.

— sunhee grinnell, Vanities, "Jo Malone London Taps Poppy Delevingne to Reimagine Her Favorite Scents," 19 June 2017
Orange Blossom mixes with water lily, orris, and balsamic vetiver for a sharp and fresh floral scent while Tuberose Angelica is a richer cologne that blends white florals and angelica with warmer notes of amberwood.

— sunhee grinnell, vanityfair.com, "Jo Malone London Taps Poppy Delevingne to Reimagine Her Favorite Scents," 13 June 2017
In June, when the Arctic sun never sets, the lowlands of Disko are covered with flowering angelica.

— joshua rothman, The New Yorker, "Daniel Dennett’s Science of the Soul," 27 Mar. 2017
Orange Blossom mixes with water lily, orris, and balsamic vetiver for a sharp and fresh floral scent while Tuberose Angelica is a richer cologne that blends white florals and angelica with warmer notes of amberwood.

— sunhee grinnell, Vanities, "Jo Malone London Taps Poppy Delevingne to Reimagine Her Favorite Scents," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'angelica.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of angelica

New Latin, genus name, from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin, feminine of angelicus angelic, from Late Greek angelikos, from Greek, of a messenger, from angelos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1527

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

angelica

noun an·gel·i·ca \ an-ˈjel-i-kə \

medical Definition of angelica

1 capitalized : a genus of usually white-flowered herbs of the family Umbelliferae native to the northern hemisphere and New Zealand

2 : any plant of the genus Angelica; especially : a biennial or perennial herb (A. archangelica) having young stems that are candied and roots and seeds that yield a flavoring oil — see angelica root