chamomile
UK[ˈkæməmaɪl]US[ˈkæməˌmaɪl]
n
A small plant with white and yellow flowers that are often used to make a herbal tea.
n
The dried flowers of this plant, used to make tea or medicine.
Etymology
The word 'chamomile' has a fragrant history rooted in ancient Greek botany. It originates from the Greek term 'khamaimēlon', a compound literally meaning "earth apple," a poetic description inspired by the plant's low-growing habit and the apple-like scent of its flowers. This term was adopted into Latin as 'chamomilla' and later passed into Old French before entering Middle English. Over centuries, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, but the core association with the aromatic, daisy-like herb used for its soothing properties has remained constant from ancient Greek herbalists to modern tea drinkers.
Analysis
The word 'chamomile' is a simplex loanword. It entered English as a single unit from French, which derived it from Latin 'chamomilla', itself a borrowing from Greek 'khamaimēlon'. The Greek components are 'khamai' (on the ground) and 'mēlon' (apple), but these are not morphemes in the modern English spelling.
Examples
A cup of chamomile tea before bed can help you relax.
The fields were dotted with the white flowers of chamomile.
She uses chamomile extract in her homemade skin cream for its anti-inflammatory properties.