Star anise Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative
    Illicium verum; Chinese anise.
  2. noun small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant
    Illicium anisatum.
  3. noun anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Asian cooking and medicine
    star aniseed; Chinese anise.

WordNet


Definitions
  1. (Bot.), any plant of the genus Illicium; so called from its star-shaped capsules.

Webster 1913