herb
/hə:b/
Definition
- Noun:
- An aromatic plant used in cooking: A plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used to flavor food, often for their savory qualities.
- A non-woody plant: A plant with a stem that is not hard and woody, which often dies back at the end of the growing season. Many such plants are grown in gardens, used as vegetables (potherbs), have medicinal properties, or can be weeds.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Culinary):
- Basil and rosemary are essential herbs in Italian cuisine.
- She grows fresh herbs like mint and cilantro on her windowsill.
- Noun (Botanical):
- Botanically, a daisy is considered a herb, not a woody shrub.
- Many medicinal herbs, such as echinacea, are harvested for their healing properties.
Advanced Usage
- "To take herbs": To use plants, especially in dried or capsule form, for medicinal purposes.
- Some people take herbs like valerian root to help them sleep.
- "Herb of the field": A literary or biblical phrase referring to common, non-cultivated plants.
- The land was covered with every herb of the field.
Variants and Related Words
- Herbal (adj): Relating to or made from herbs.
- She prefers herbal tea to black coffee.
- Herbaceous (adj): Having the characteristics of a herb; green and leafy rather than woody.
- The garden border was filled with herbaceous perennials.
- Herbalist (n): A person who practices healing using plants and herbs.
- The herbalist recommended a specific blend for my headache.
Synonyms
- Potherb: A plant whose leaves, stems, or flowers are used as food, especially in cooking (e.g., spinach).
- Aromatic: A plant valued for its pleasant smell and flavor (e.g., lavender).
- Medicinal plant: A plant used for treating illnesses (e.g., chamomile).
Related Phrases
- Herb garden: A garden dedicated to growing culinary and medicinal herbs.
- Their kitchen opens out onto a small herb garden.
- Culinary herb: A herb specifically used for flavoring food.
- Parsley is the most common culinary herb.
Related Idioms
- "Season with a pinch of herbs": To add a small amount of herbs to enhance flavor. This is a common cooking instruction rather than a fixed idiom.
- The recipe says to season the soup with a pinch of fresh herbs.
Noun
-
aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities
-
a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
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