camomile

• camomille, chamomille (rare)
• chamomile (botany, pharmacology)

From Middle English camamille, first attested 1265, from Old French camomille, from Late Latin camomilla, from Latin chamaemelon, from Ancient Greek χαμαίμηλον (khamaímēlon, literally “earth-apple”), from χαμαί (khamaí, “on the ground”) + μῆλον (mêlon, “apple”). So called because of the apple-like scent of the plant.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkæ.məˌmaɪl/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkæ.məˌmaɪl/, /ˈkæ.məˌmil/

camomile (countable and uncountable, plural camomiles)

1. A composite plant with a fragrance reminiscent of apples:
   1. Matricaria recutita (formerly known as Matricaria chamomilla), German chamomile or Hungarian chamomile, with fragrant flowers used for tea, and as an herbal remedy.

      Synonyms: German camomile, Hungarian camomile

   2. Chamaemelum nobile (formerly Anthemis nobilis), English chamomile or Roman chamomile, a ground cover with fragrant foliage.

      Synonyms: Roman camomile, English camomile

2. Any of several other similar plants. (See below)
3. Ellipsis of camomile tea.
   • 2022 September 27, Barclay Bram, “My Therapist, the Robot”, in The New York Times‎^[1]:

     On another occasion, when trying to brainstorm things I could do to make myself feel better despite all the pandemic restrictions, Woebot suggested I “try doing something nice for someone in your life,” like make a calming tea for my housemate or check in with a loved one. I poured my mum some chamomile: Two birds, one stone.

• Chamomile on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Category:Anthemis on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons
• Anthemis on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• camomile at USDA Plants database
• camomile at USDA Plants database