Chinese anise
noun
Definition for chinese-anise (2 of 2)
star anise
noun
Also called Chinese anise.
a shrub or small tree, Illicium verum, of China, having white flowers that turn purple and bearing anise-scented, star-shaped clusters of carminative fruit.
the fruit of this tree or shrub, used as a spice.
Origin of star anise
First recorded in 1830–40
British Dictionary definitions for chinese-anise
star anise
noun
a small Chinese evergreen tree (Illicium verum) yielding an aromatic oil
a spice produced from the star-shaped dried seed pods of this tree