What does star anise mean?
• STAR ANISE (noun) The noun STAR ANISE has 3 senses: 1. small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative 2. small shrubby tree of Japan and Taiwan; flowers are not fragrant 3. anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Oriental cooking and medicine Familiarity information: STAR ANISE used as a noun is uncommon.