Absinthine
/ˈæb.sɪnθaɪn/noun
Relating to or resembling absinthe or wormwood, especially in bitterness.
Did you know?The Greek word for wormwood, ἄψινθος, appears in the Book of Revelation as the name of a star that makes waters bitter, helping give wormwood a lasting prophetic and ominous symbolism.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἄψινθος (ápsinthos)
“Wormwood; a famously bitter aromatic plant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀψίνθιον (apsínthion)
“Wormwood or an extract made from it”
Classical Latin
Latin
absinthium
“Wormwood; the plant used medicinally and in bitter preparations”
Old French
Old French
absinthe
“Wormwood; later the name of the bitter alcoholic drink”
17th Century
English
absinthine
“Of or resembling wormwood; bitter”
Modern English
English
absinthine
“Relating to absinthe or wormwood, or having a bitter quality”