1. A plant of the buttercup family with feathery leaves and blue, white, or pink flowers, native to southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean region.
Usage: Also called love-in-a-mist
2. The small black seeds of the nigella plant, used as a spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking.
Usage: Also called black cumin or kalonji

Examples

• The nigella flowers bloomed in delicate shades of blue throughout the summer garden.
• She sprinkled nigella seeds on top of the naan bread before baking.
• Nigella is a popular ornamental plant in cottage gardens.
• The recipe called for a teaspoon of nigella seeds for added flavor.
• Love-in-a-mist, or nigella, gets its common name from the fine, thread-like bracts surrounding the flowers.