as·a·fet·i·da also as·a·foet·i·da ( s  -f t  -d)n. A brownish, bitter, foul-smelling resinous material obtained from the roots of several plants of the genus Ferula in the parsley family and formerly used in medicine. [Middle English, from Medieval Latin : asa, gum (from Persian az  , mastic) + Latin fetida, feminine of fetidus, stinking; see fetid.] |
asafoetida, asafetida [ˌæsəˈfɛtɪdə]
n
(Medicine / Pharmacology) a bitter resin with an unpleasant onion-like smell, obtained from the roots of some umbelliferous plants of the genus Ferula: formerly used as a carminative, antispasmodic, and expectorant
[from Medieval Latin, from asa gum (compare Persian azā mastic) + Latin foetidus evil-smelling, fetid]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  asafoetida - the brownish gum resin of various plants; has strong taste and odor; formerly used as an antispasmodicnatural resin - a plant exudate |
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