‖n. [ It. finocchio fennel, LL. fenuclum. See Fennel. ] (Bot.) An umbelliferous plant (Fœniculum dulce) having a somewhat tuberous stem; sweet fennel. The blanched stems are used in France and Italy as a culinary vegetable. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. pl. [ Sp., pl., fr. fino fine. ] Second best wool from Merino sheep. Gardner. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. raffiner to refine. ] (Chem.) A colorless crystalline slightly sweet substance obtained from the molasses of the sugar beet. [ 1913 Webster ]