• Absinthe

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /ˈæb.sɪnθ/
    • US IPA: /ˈæb.sɪnθ/

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    French absinthe, from Latin absinthium, from Ancient Greek ἀψίνθιον (apsinthion, "wormwood").

    Full definition of absinthe

    Noun

    absinthe

    (plural absinthes)
    1. The herb absinthium Artemisia absinthium, (grande wormwood); essence of wormwood. First attested around 1350 to 1470.
    SOED5|page=9
    1. (figurative) Bitterness; sorrow. First attested around 1350 to 1470.
    2. (alcohol) A distilled, highly alcoholic, anise-flavored liquor originally made from grande wormwood, anise, and other herbs. First attested in the mid 19th century.
    3. A moderate yellow green; absinthe green. First attested in the late 19th century.
    4. (US) Sagebrush

    Usage notes

    (wormwood) Absinth is the preferred spelling of this sense only

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