rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryanisetteAnise-flavored liqueur
noun

anisette

an-uh-SET/ˌænʌsˈɛt/

A sweet liqueur flavored with anise.

A small glass of anisette stands beside its bottle and anise seeds.

A small glass of clear sweet anisette liqueur beside an unmarked bottle and oval anise seeds, elegant tabletop, no text.
Etymology
anisFrenchanise
+etteFrenchdiminutive ending

French anis names the flavoring plant. Its diminutive form became the name of an aniseed-flavored liqueur, connecting the drink to the seeds that give it its characteristic taste.

More examples

  • She recognizes the anise flavor in the anisette.
  • The recipe calls for a spoonful of anisette.
  • A bottle of anisette stands among the other liqueurs.

Similar words

liqueur
The broader category rather than this specific anise-flavored drink.