silphium

Definition

A plant, thought to be extinct, used in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome in cooking and as a contraceptive.

Etymology

From Latin silphium, from Ancient Greek σίλφιον (sílphion).

Example Sentences

• "Of all the mysteries of ancient Rome, silphium is among the most intriguing. Romans loved the herb as much as we love chocolate. They used silphium as perfume, as medicine, as an aphrodisiac and turned it into a condiment, called laser, that they poured on to almost every dish."

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