Cumin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cumin \Cum"in\ (k?m"?n), n. [OE.comin, AS. cymen, fr. L.
     cuminum, Gr. ???????; of Semitic origin, cf. Ar. kamm?n, Heb.
     kamm?n; cf. OF. comin, F. cumin. Cf. {Kummel}.] (Bot.)
     A dwarf umbelliferous plant, somewhat resembling fennel
     ({Cuminum Cyminum}), cultivated for its seeds, which have a
     bitterish, warm taste, with an aromatic flavor, and are used


     like those of anise and caraway. [Written also {cummin}.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Rank-smelling rue, and cumin good for eyes. --Spenser.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Black cumin} (Bot.), a plant ({Nigella sativa}) with pungent
        seeds, used by the Afghans, etc.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cumin
       n 1: dwarf Mediterranean annual long cultivated for its aromatic
            seeds [syn: {Cuminum cyminum}]
       2: aromatic seeds of the cumin herb of the carrot family [syn:
          {cumin seed}]