camomile

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English camamille, first attested 1265, from Old French camomille, from Late Latin camomilla, from Latin chamaemelon, from Ancient Greek χαμαίμηλον (khamaímēlon, literally “earth-apple”), from χαμαί (khamaí, “on the ground”) + μῆλον (mêlon, “apple”). So called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkæ.məˌmaɪl/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkæ.məˌmaɪl/, /ˈkæ.məˌmil/

Noun

camomile (countable and uncountable, plural camomiles)

  1. Composite plant with a fragrance reminiscent of apples:
    1. Matricaria recutita (formerly known as Matricaria chamomilla), German chamomile or Hungarian chamomile, with fragrant flowers used for tea, and as an herbal remedy.
      Synonyms: German camomile, Hungarian camomile
    2. Chamaemelum nobile (formerly Anthemis nobilis), English chamomile or Roman chamomile, a ground cover with fragrant foliage.
      Synonyms: Roman camomile, English camomile
  2. Any of several other similar plants. (See below)
  3. Ellipsis of camomile tea.
    • 2022 September 27, Barclay Bram, “My Therapist, the Robot”, in The New York Times‎[1]:
      On another occasion, when trying to brainstorm things I could do to make myself feel better despite all the pandemic restrictions, Woebot suggested I “try doing something nice for someone in your life,” like make a calming tea for my housemate or check in with a loved one. I poured my mum some chamomile: Two birds, one stone.

Derived terms

Translations

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Translations to be checked‌: "plant"

Further reading

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