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Glite Dictionary
wormwood oil

wormwood oil

9.5
A dark oil from wormwood leaves that gives absinthe its bitter taste
  • noun
  • /ˈwɜrmˌwʊd ɔɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aceite de ajenjo
  • I love the taste of wormwood oil in cocktails.

Examples

  • Perfume makers sometimes explore the bitter aroma of wormwood oil in complex scent blends.

  • The use of wormwood oil is highly regulated due to its toxicity in large quantities.

  • Traditional absinthe gets its distinctive taste from the addition of wormwood oil.

  • The wormwood oil gives absinthe its unique flavor.

  • The bartender added a few drops of wormwood oil to enhance the flavor of the cocktail.

  • For the authentic taste, ensure you use high-quality wormwood oil in your absinthe recipe.

  • Wormwood oil is a key ingredient in crafting traditional absinthe liqueurs.

Synonyms

absinthe oil
vswormwood oil
9.9

A dark bitter oil from wormwood leaves that flavors absinthe drinks

is the same oil but referred to by a different name

Surface Forms

wormwood oil singular
wormwood oils plural

Morphology

wormwood + oil

The meaning is compositional: 'wormwood' (the plant) + 'oil' (a liquid extracted from plants) yields an oil obtained from the wormwood plant. This plant-name + oil pattern is common across languages and would allow a B1 learner who knows both constituents to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Wormwood oil is the oil made from the bitter plant wormwood. The plant was once used to treat 'worms' and has a very strong, bitter taste, so the oil is used to flavor the green drink called absinthe and is carefully controlled.