asafoetida

== English == === Alternative forms === asafetida, asfetida assafetida, assa-fetida (dated) assafoetida, assa-fœtida === Etymology === Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin asafoetida, from Persian ازا / آزا (azâ, âzâ, “mastic”) + Latin foetida, feminine of foetidus (“bad-smelling”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˌæsəˈfɛtɪdə/ === Noun === asafoetida (usually uncountable, plural asafoetidas) A resinous gum from the stem and roots of Ferula species such as Ferula foetida and Ferula assa-foetida, having a strong, unpleasant smell, with culinary and medical uses. [from 14th c.] Synonyms: asant, hing, devil's dung, stinking gum ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === asafoetida on Wikipedia.Wikipedia