vanilla Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers
  2. noun a flavoring prepared from vanilla beans macerated in alcohol (or imitating vanilla beans)
    vanilla extract.
  3. noun a distinctive fragrant flavor characteristic of vanilla beans
  4. adjective flavored with vanilla extract
    • he liked vanilla ice cream
  5. adjective satellite plain and without any extras or adornments
    • the most common type of bond is the straight or plain vanilla bond
    • the basic car is known as the vanilla version

WordNet

Va*nil"la noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Sp. vainilla, dim. of Sp. vaina a sheath, a pod, L. vagina; because its grains, or seeds, are contained in little pods.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A genus of climbing orchidaceous plants natives of tropical America.
  2. The long podlike capsules of Vanilla planifolia, and V. claviculata, remarkable for their delicate and agreeable odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil extracted from them; also, the flavoring extract made from the capsules, extensively used in confectionery, perfumery, etc. ✍ As a medicine, vanilla is supposed to possess powers analogous to valerian, while, at the same time, it is far more grateful.

Webster 1913