licorice Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun deep-rooted coarse-textured plant native to the Mediterranean region having blue flowers and pinnately compound leaves; widely cultivated in Europe for its long thick sweet roots
    liquorice; Glycyrrhiza glabra.
  2. noun a black candy flavored with the dried root of the licorice plant
    liquorice.

WordNet

Lic"o*rice noun
Etymology
OE. licoris, though old French, fr. L. liquiritia, corrupted fr. glycyrrhiza, Gr. sweet + root. Cf. Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza, Wort.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza (G. glabra), the root of which abounds with a juice, and is much used in demulcent compositions.
  2. The inspissated juice of licorice root, used as a confection and medicinal purposes.

Webster 1913