liquorice Used in confectionery and to flavour medicines; liquorice root and extract are obtained from the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra; stick liquorice is the evaporated extract of the root. The plant has been grown in the Pontefract district of Yorkshire since the sixteenth century; hence the name Pontefract cakes for the liquorice sugar confectionery. See also glycyrrhizin.

liquorice (licorice) Perennial plant of the pea family, native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated in temperate and subtropical areas. It bears spikes of blue flowers. The dried roots are used to flavour confectionery, tobacco, beverages, and medicines. Height: to 90cm (3ft). Family Fabaceae/ Leguminosae; species Glycyrrhiza glabra.

liquorice, licorice rhizome of Glycyrrhiza glabra, preparation from this. XIII. — AN. lycorys. OF. licoresse — (with assim. to licor LIQUOR) late L. liquiritia — Gr. glukúrrhiza, f. glukús sweet + rhíza root.