angelica
any tall umbelliferous plant of the genus Angelica, having compound leaves and clusters of small white or greenish flowers, esp A. archangelica, the aromatic seeds, leaves, and stems of which are used in medicine and cookery
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
Angelica
(religion, spiritualism, and occult)One of many plants and herbs used by Witch herbalists. Medicinally, it is a stimulant, a tonic, and an aromatic or diaphoretic. It is used for the kidneys, spleen and heart, and to induce perspiration. Its Latin name is angelica atropurpurea. As a diaphoretic, or agent to increase perspiration, it is best administered hot before the recipient goes to bed.
Magically, angelica is used for healing and is often used in conjunction with vervain (verbena officinalis), feverfew (pyrethum parthenium), and betony (betonica officinalis). Angelica leaves hung about the neck are said to protect the wearer from evil spells and conjurations. It featured in early Nordic magic, and was used as a charm to be worn as a protection against the plague, in the fifteenth century.
The Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-paganism © 2002 Visible Ink Press®. All rights reserved.
angelica
[an′jel·ə·kə] (food engineering)
A spice from the perennial herb Angelica archangelica of the ginger family.
An amber or a yellow sweet wine without muscat flavor.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Angelica
infidel princess of exquisite grace and charm. [Ital. Lit.: Orlando Innamorato; Orlando Furioso]
Angelica
betrays Orlando by eloping with young soldier. [Ital. Lit.: Orlando Furioso]
angelica
traditional representation of inspiration. [Herb Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 164]
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Angelica
a genus of perennial or biennial plants of the Umbelliferae family.
Angelicas are large herbs with fistular stems and bipinnate or tripinnate leaves. The petals are mostly white. The fruits are flattened at the back and have alar border ribs. There are about 50 (according to other data, up to 80) species in the northern hemisphere and New Zealand. There are 17 species in the USSR, primarily in the Far East. The most common is the wild angelica (A. sylvestris), which grows in forests, glades, and thickets. The young plants are eaten by cattle. The plants are suitable for silage. The fruits contain coumarins.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.