'Ferula communis' definitions:

Definition of 'Ferula communis'

From: GCIDE
  • Narthex \Nar"thex\, n. [L., giant fennel, Gr. na`rqhx.]
  • 1. (Bot.) A tall umbelliferous plant (Ferula communis). See Giant fennel, under Fennel. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Arch.) The portico in front of ancient churches; sometimes, the atrium or outer court surrounded by ambulatories; -- used, generally, for any vestibule, lobby, or outer porch, leading to the nave of a church. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Ferula communis'

From: GCIDE
  • Fennel \Fen"nel\ (f[e^]n"n[e^]l), n. [AS. fenol, finol, from L. feniculum, faeniculum, dim. of fenum, faenum, hay: cf. F. fenouil. Cf. Fenugreek. Finochio.] (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus F[ae]niculum ({F[ae]niculum vulgare}), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds. [1913 Webster]
  • Smell of sweetest fennel. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • A sprig of fennel was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex. --S. G. Goodrich. [1913 Webster]
  • Azorean fennel, or Sweet fennel, (F[ae]niculum dulce). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb.
  • Dog's fennel (Anthemis Cotula), a foul-smelling European weed; -- called also mayweed.
  • Fennel flower (Bot.), an herb (Nigella) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel. Nigella Damascena is common in gardens. {Nigella sativa} furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the "fitches" mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25).
  • Fennel water (Med.), the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative.
  • Giant fennel (Ferula communis), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus.
  • Hog's fennel, a European plant (Peucedanum officinale) looking something like fennel. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Ferula communis'

From: GCIDE
  • Ferula \Fer"u*la\, n. [L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were used in punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to strike; akin to OHG. berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. Ferule.]
  • 1. A ferule. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. [capitalized] A genus of plants of the parsley family Apiaceae (of the order Umbelliferae), including some yielding asafetida. Members include Ferula asafoetida (Ferula foetida), the giant fennel (Ferula communis), and Ferula orientalis. [PJC]