/ Dictionary / Index S star anise: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: star' an"ise Pronunciation: [key] a shrub or small tree, Illicium verum, of China, having white flowers that turn purple and bearing anise-scented, star-shaped clusters of carminative fruit. Also called Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. star star apple Related Content Daily Word Quiz: neologism Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language