STAR ANISE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does star anise mean? 

• STAR ANISE (noun)
  The noun STAR ANISE has 3 senses:

1. small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative

2. small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant

3. anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Asian cooking and medicine

  Familiarity information: STAR ANISE used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STAR ANISE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

Chinese anise; Illicium verum; star anise

Hypernyms ("star anise" is a kind of...):

anise tree (any of several evergreen shrubs and small trees of the genus Illicium)

Meronyms (parts of "star anise"):

Chinese anise; star anise; star aniseed (anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Asian cooking and medicine)

Holonyms ("star anise" is a member of...):

genus Illicium; Illicium (anise trees: evergreen trees with aromatic leaves)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

Illicium anisatum; star anise

Hypernyms ("star anise" is a kind of...):

anise tree (any of several evergreen shrubs and small trees of the genus Illicium)

Holonyms ("star anise" is a member of...):

genus Illicium; Illicium (anise trees: evergreen trees with aromatic leaves)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Asian cooking and medicine

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Synonyms:

Chinese anise; star anise; star aniseed

Hypernyms ("star anise" is a kind of...):

spice (any of a variety of pungent aromatic vegetable substances used for flavoring food)

Holonyms ("star anise" is a part of...):

Chinese anise; Illicium verum; star anise (small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative)

Holonyms ("star anise" is a substance of...):

five spice powder (Chinese seasoning made by grinding star anise and fennel and pepper and cloves and cinnamon)