When you hear 'anise' are you hearing English or Greek?

'Anise' is a word borrowed from Greek 'anison'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

anise [noun] [14th century]

• a Eurasian annual herb (Pimpinella anisum) of the carrot family having carminative and aromatic seeds
• aniseed

See 'anise' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Greek.

Etymology: Middle English 'anis' from Anglo-French, from Latin 'anisum' from Greek 'annēson, anison'

See more loan words from 1300s.