lovage

noun

lov·age ˈlə-vij

: any of several aromatic perennial herbs of the carrot family

especially : a European herb (Levisticum officinale) sometimes cultivated for use in medicine especially as a diuretic and in cookery usually as a flavoring agent

Examples of lovage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some perennial culinary herbs, like oregano, thyme, sage, chives and lovage have all needed pruning, a few for the second time. —

Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 9 June 2023 Herbs to start from seed: Parsley, thyme, oregano, lavender, lovage, lemon balm. —

Jeff Lowenfels | Alaska Gardening and Growing, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Mar. 2023 Herbs: Anise, arugula, basil, borage, chive, cardamon, chervil, cilantro, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, Mexican tarragon, mint, nasturtium, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme and watercress. —

Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 30 Oct. 2021 Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, cardamom, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, mint, nasturtium, oregano, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, tarragon, thyme and water cress. —

Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2022 Soon the first snacks begin to arrive—a pork and eel fritter for sopping up a delicious creamy lovage emulsion; a cube of cheesy, buttery croissant dough kissed with birch-sap syrup. —

Jay Cheshes, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2022 Herbs: Anise, basil, bay laurel, borage, cardamom, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, lavender, lemon balm, lovage, mint, nasturtium, oregano, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, tarragon, thyme and watercress 6. —

Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 25 Sep. 2021 This palette of perennials might also extend to strawberries, horseradish, lovage and asparagus. —

Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 14 July 2021 The server brings out a dish of thin coins of summer squash topped with crab and kaluga caviar and dots of bright-green lovage oil. —

E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 7 July 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lovage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lovache, from Anglo-French luvasche, lovasche, from Late Latin levisticum, alteration of Latin ligusticum, from neuter of ligusticus Ligurian, from Ligur-, Ligus, noun, Ligurian

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of lovage was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lovage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lovage. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

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Medical Definition

lovage

noun

lov·age ˈləv-ij

: any of several aromatic perennial herbs of the carrot family

especially : a European herb (Levisticum officinale) sometimes cultivated for its rhizomes which are used as a carminative in domestic remedies, for its stalks and foliage which are used as a potherb, a substitute for celery, or a tea, for its seeds which are used for flavoring and in confectionery, and for its flowering tops which yield an oil used in flavoring and perfumery