angelica

noun

an·​gel·​i·​ca an-ˈje-li-kə 

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

Examples of angelica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Guilder’s first offerings are a Green Tea gin, Red Oolong (which Park and Di enjoy sipping on its own) and a more classic offering called Canton Dry, a blend of juniper, coriander and angelica. —Kurt Soller M.h. Miller Angela Koh Rachel Felder Chris Schalkx, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2023

In China, there is rich and tonic qing dun quan ji, in which a chicken is blanched then long-simmered in water with a big piece of smashed ginger, scallions and Shaoxing wine; some cooks add tonic herbs or roots like Chinese angelica, ginseng or milk vetch, or goji berries toward the end. —Dallas News, 20 Nov. 2020

The formula utilizes Japanese angelica root as its effective yet gentle dark-spot-reducing agent. —Sarah Han, Allure, 16 Sep. 2021

The formula utilizes Japanese angelica root as its powerful dark-spot-reducing agent. —Nykia Spradley, Allure, 8 June 2021

This results in pleasant cereal notes that act as a backdrop for juniper and any other botanicals the distiller chooses to include, which can vary wildly (orange leaf, celery seed, cinnamon, coriander, angelica, hundreds more). —Al Culliton, Bon Appétit, 23 May 2020

Plant angelica, coreopsis, dill, fennel, and yarrow to attract them. —The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, 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, 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, 22 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing angelica

• angelica tree

Medical Definition

angelica

noun

an·​gel·​i·​ca an-ˈjel-i-kə 

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