n.
Pronunciation: ' li-k( ə -)rish, -k( ə -)r ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English licorice, from Anglo-French licoris, from Late Latin liquiritia, alteration of Latin glycyrrhiza, from Greek glykyrrhiza, from glykys sweet + rhiza root ― more at DULCET , ROOT
Date: 13th century
1 a : the dried root of a European leguminous plant ( Glycyrrhiza glabra ) with pinnate leaves and spikes of blue flowers also : an extract of this used especially in medicine, liquors, and confectionery b : a candy flavored with licorice or a substitute (as anise)
2 : a plant yielding licorice also : a related plant