I. |arə|mad.ik, -atik, -ēk also |er- adjective
Etymology: Middle English aromatyk, from Middle French aromatique, from Late Latin aromaticus, from Greek arōmatikos, from arōmat-, arōma + -ikos -ic
1. : of, relating to, or having aroma:
a. : having a distinctive pleasing odor : sweet-smelling : fragrant
the aromatic breath of spruce and pine — Willa Cather
an aromatic blend of domestic and imported tobaccos
b. : having a strong smell or odor
steerage accommodations … were at best congested and strikingly aromatic — Robert Rice
c. : having a distinctive pervasive quality or atmosphere
all the places with aromatic names — John Woodburn
2.
a. : of, relating to, or characterized by the presence of at least one benzene ring — used of a large class of monocyclic, bicyclic, and polycyclic hydrocarbons and their derivatives (as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, phenol, aniline, salicylic acid); distinguished from alicyclic, aliphatic, heterocyclic ; see carbocyclic ; compare benzenoid
b. : similar in chemical properties to the benzene ring or to compounds containing it — used especially in relation to some unsaturated heterocyclic compounds (as thiophene and pyridine)
• ar·o·mat·i·cal·ly -ə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li adverb
• ar·o·mat·ic·ness -iknȧs, -ēk- noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a plant, drug, or medicine characterized by a fragrant smell and usually by a warm pungent taste (as ginger, cinnamon, and spices)
2. : an organic compound of the aromatic class