‖ angelica
(ænˈdʒɛlɪkə)
[med.L. = herba angelica the ‘angelic herb,’ or ‘root of the Holy Ghost,’ so named (when or by whom does not appear—used by Brunfells in 1530) on account of its repute against poison and pestilence, prob. from the fragrant smell and aromatic taste of its root.]
1. a. An aromatic umbelliferous plant (A. archangelica, or Archangelica officinalis) indigenous to Europe, and cultivated (since 1568) in England, for culinary or medicinal purposes, and for preparing a confection, ‘Candied Angelica.’ b. in Bot. The genus, of which the prec. plant is, or was considered, the type; of which several species are diffused over the northern hemisphere, one being wild in Britain.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens 297 The rootes of Angelica are contrarie to all poyson. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas i. iii. (1641) 27/1 Angelica, that happy counterbane, Sent down from heav'n. 1601 R. Chester Love's Mart. 92 There is Angellica or Dwarfe Gentian. From death it doth preserue the poysoned man. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wks. i. 60/1 Angelicaes distastfull roote is gnawed. 1794 Martyn Rousseau's Bot. xvii. 234 Angelica has large globose umbels. 1813 Marshall Gardening xvi. (ed. 5) 262 Angelica is cultivated for the large ribs of its leaves, cut in May or June to make a candied preserve. |
2. attrib.
| 1641 French Distill. ii. (1651) 53 A pint of the best Angelica-water. 1652 ― Yorksh. Spa ix. 84 Elecampany root candied, or for want thereof Angelica root. 1827 Nuttall Introd. Bot. 82, Aralia, two of the native species called spikenard and Angelica-tree. 1863 Baring-Gould Icel. 112 The beautiful angelica leaf starred the black soil. |
3. Short for a. Angelica water (cf. angel-water). b. Candied angelica root.
| 1653 Urquhart Rabelais i. lv, Spirit of roses, orange-flower⁓water and Angelica. 1676 Beal in Phil. Trans. XI. 587 The Thymes..do make a sprightful..infusion in Angelico, against Contagions. 1801 M. Edgeworth Angelina iv. (1832) 63 What was it you pleased to call for—angelica, ma'am, did you say? 1874 C. Rossetti Speaking Liken. 39 Two melons..and about four dozen sticks of angelica. |
4. fig. rare.
| 1592 G. Harvey New Letter 18 Converting the wormwood of just offence into the angelica of pure attonement. |