Licorice
/ˈlɪkərɪs/noun
A sweet-tasting root used to flavor food, beverages, and medicines.
Did you know?Ancient Greek physicians called licorice glykyrrhiza, “sweet root,” and used it medicinally long before its flavor became associated with confectionery.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
γλυκύρριζα (glykýrrhiza)
“Sweet root; γλυκύς meant “sweet” and ῥίζα meant “root”.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γλυκύς (glykýs)
“Sweet; the first element describing the plant’s intensely sweet root.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
glycyrrhiza
“Licorice plant or root, borrowed from Greek botanical terminology.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
liquiritia
“Licorice; a reshaped form influenced by pronunciation and popular usage.”
13th Century
Old French
licorece / licorice
“Licorice root, continuing the medieval Latin form.”
14th Century
English
lycorys / licorice
“The licorice plant or its sweet root.”
Modern English
English
licorice
“The plant, its root, or flavoring made from it; British spelling is often “liquorice.””