marjoram

marjoram
/mahr"jeuhr euhm/, n.
any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Origanum, of the mint family, esp. O. majorana (sweet marjoram), having leaves used as seasoning in cooking. Cf. oregano.
[1350-1400; ME majorane < ML majorana, var. of majoraca, alter. of L amaracus < Gk amárakos marjoram]

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Perennial herb (Majorana hortensis) of the mint family, or its fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops.

Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, marjoram is cultivated as an annual where winter temperatures kill the plant. It is used to flavor many foods. Various other aromatic herbs or undershrubs of the genera Origanum (see oregano) and Majorana of the mint family are also called marjoram.

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herb
also called  Sweet Marjoram 

      (species Majorana hortensis), perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae, or Labiatae) or its fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops, used to flavour many foods. Its taste is warm, aromatic, slightly sharp, and bitterish. A herb of many culinary uses, marjoram is particularly appreciated for the taste it lends to sausages, meats, poultry, stuffings, fish, stews, eggs, vegetables, and salads. Native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, marjoram is also cultivated as an annual in northerly climates where winter temperatures kill the plant. Marjoram contains about 2 percent essential oil, the principal components of which are terpinene and terpineol.

      Various other aromatic herbs or undershrubs of the genera Origanum and Majorana of the Lamiaceae family are called marjoram. Pot marjoram, Majorana onites, is also cultivated for its aromatic leaves and is used to flavour food. Wild marjoram, Origanum vulgare, is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia and is commonly found in dry copses and on hedgebanks in England and has been naturalized in the United States.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Marjoram — Mar jo*ram (m[aum]r j[ o]*ram), n. [OE. majoran, F. marjolaine, LL. marjoraca, fr. L. amaracus, amaracum, Gr. ama rakos, ama rakon.] (Bot.) A genus of mintlike plants ({Origanum}) comprising about twenty five species. The sweet marjoram… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • marjoram — ► NOUN 1) (also sweet marjoram) an aromatic plant of the mint family, used as a herb in cooking. 2) (also wild marjoram) another term for OREGANO(Cf. ↑oregano). ORIGIN Latin majorana …   English terms dictionary

  • marjoram — [mär′jə rəm] n. [ME majoran < OFr majorane < ML maiorana, prob. altered < L amaracus < Gr amarakos, marjoram: of Indic orig., akin to Sans maruva ] any of a number of perennial plants of the mint family, esp. sweet marjoram …   English World dictionary

  • marjoram — late 14c., from O.Fr. majorane (13c., Mod.Fr. marjolaine), from M.L. maiorana, of uncertain origin, probably ultimately from India (Cf. Skt. maruva marjoram ), with form influenced by L. major greater …   Etymology dictionary

  • Marjoram —   [ mɑːdʒərəm], J., Pseudonym des englischen Schriftstellers Ralph Hale Mottram …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Marjoram — For the Galaxy Angel Rune Character(s), see Kahlua Marjoram and Tequila Marjoram. Marjoram Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Marjoram — Recorded in many forms including Margeram, Margram, Margarum, Margrem, and Marjoram, this is an English surname. It has been claimed that in England it originates from the region known as East Anglia and more specifically the county of Norfolk,… …   Surnames reference

  • marjoram — [ mα:dʒ(ə)rəm] noun 1》 (also sweet marjoram) an aromatic southern European plant of the mint family, the leaves of which are used as a herb. [Origanum majorana.] 2》 (also wild marjoram) another term for oregano. Origin ME: from OFr. majorane,… …   English new terms dictionary

  • marjoram — mar•jo•ram [[t]ˈmɑr dʒər əm[/t]] n. pln any of several aromatic herbs of the mint family, esp. Origanum majorana (sweet marjoram), having leaves used as a seasoning. • Etymology: 1350–1400; < ML majorana, var. of majoraca, alter. of L amāracus …   From formal English to slang

  • marjoram — майоран sweet marjoram майоран садовый marjoram oil масло из листьев майорана …   English-Russian travelling dictionary

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