absinthe

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromἀψίνθιον“wormwood”
2. Latin · derived fromabsinthium
3. Middle French · derived fromabsinthe
4. French · borrowed fromabsinthe
5. Middle English · inherited fromabsinthe
6. English todayabsinthe

* (wormwood; figuratively bitterness, sorrow): From Middle English absinthe. * (liquor): From Modern French absinthe. Both from Middle French absinthe, from Latin absinthium, from Ancient Greek ἀψίνθιον (apsínthion, “wormwood”). Doublet of absinthium.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 1350–1470 The herb absinthium Artemisia absinthium (grande wormwood); essence of wormwood.
• from 1350–1470 Bitterness; sorrow.
• from mid 19ᵗʰ c. A distilled, highly alcoholic, anise-flavored liquor originally made from grande wormwood, anise, and other herbs.
• from late 19ᵗʰ c. A moderate yellow green.
• from late 19ᵗʰ c. absinthe green