I. ˌaligˈzandə(r), ˌel-, -lēg- sometimes -ȧn-; attrib | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
or al·i·san·der ˌaləˈsa- also -sȧ-
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English alexaundre, alisaundre, from Medieval Latin & Old French; Middle English alexaundre from Old French alexandre, from Medieval Latin alexandrum, probably by folk etymology (influence of Latin Alexander Alexander the Great died 323 B.C. king of Macedonia) from Latin holus atrum, from holus vegetable (akin to Latin helvus light bay) + atrum, neuter of ater black: Middle English alisaundre from Old French, from Medieval Latin alexandrum — more at atrocious , yellow
: any of various plants of the family Umbelliferae: as
a. : a European plant ( Smyrnium olusatrum ) that somewhat resembles celery and was formerly cultivated as a potherb — usually used in plural
b. : cow parsnip — usually used in plural
II. noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: by shortening & alteration from Alexandrine silk
: a striped silk of the 14th to 16th centuries
III. noun
also alexander cocktail
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized A
Etymology: probably from the name Alexander
: an iced cocktail made from crème de cacao, sweet cream, and gin or brandy