apiaceous
|a-pi-ae-cous|
/ˌeɪpiˈeɪʃəs/
like parsley-family plants
Etymology
'apiaceous' originates from New Latin, specifically the family name 'Apiaceae', where the genus name 'Apium' came from Latin 'apium' meaning 'parsley' or a related plant.
'apiaceous' was formed in English from New Latin 'Apiaceae' (the family name derived from the genus 'Apium') plus the adjectival suffix '-aceous' (from Latin '-aceus' meaning 'of or pertaining to'), producing the modern English adjective 'apiaceous'.
Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to Apiaceae (the parsley/carrot family)', and it has remained close to that sense while also being used more generally as 'resembling plants of that family'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
of or relating to the plant family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae), e.g. parsley, carrot, celery.
The hedgerow was full of apiaceous flowers such as wild carrot and cow parsley.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
resembling or characteristic of plants in the Apiaceae (having umbels, aromatic herbs, hollow stems, etc.).
Many roadside weeds have an apiaceous habit, with small umbels of flowers.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/29 11:57