[ 'anɪs ]
■ noun
1》 a Mediterranean plant of the parsley family, cultivated for its aromatic seeds (~ed). [ Pimpinella anisum .]
2》 used in names of Asian or American trees or shrubs bearing fruit with an ~ed-like odour, e.g. star ~ . [Genus Illicium .]
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. anisum , from Gk anison '~, dill'.