licorice
licorice Lexical Profile
licorice Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A chewy confectionery usually flavored with licorice extract or anise, traditionally formed into black ropes, twists, or bite-sized pieces.
"She bought a large bag of red and black licorice at the movie theater concession stand."
A sweet, distinctively flavored black extract obtained from the root of the licorice plant, used extensively in medicine, beverages, and confectionery.
"Traditional herbalists often used licorice to soothe sore throats and digestive issues."
A perennial leguminous plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) native to Eurasia and North Africa, cultivated for its highly sweet and distinctively flavored roots.
"The farmers harvested the licorice by carefully extracting its deep root system from the sandy soil."
Word Nuance & Usage
The spelling 'licorice' is standard in American English, whereas 'liquorice' is the preferred spelling in British and Commonwealth English.
• Rhymes for licorice
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'licoresse', from Late Latin 'liquiritia', which is an alteration of Ancient Greek 'glykyrrhiza', combining 'glykys' (sweet) and 'rhiza' (root).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.