ASAFOETIDA

asafetida, asafoetida

(noun) the brownish gum resin of various plants; has strong taste and odor; formerly used as an antispasmodic

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

asafoetida (uncountable)

A resinous gum from the stem and roots of genus Ferula, especially Ferula assa-foetida, having a strong, unpleasant smell, with culinary and medical uses. [from 14th c.]

Source: Wiktionary


As`a*fet"i*da, As`a*foet"i*da, n. Etym: [Asa + L. foetidus fetid.]

Definition: The fetid gum resin or inspissated juice of a large umbelliferous plant (Ferula asafoetida) of Persia and the East India. It is used in medicine as an antispasmodic. [Written also assafoetida.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

4 April 2025

GUILLOTINE

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