n 1  cap  :  a genus of bulbous herbs (as an onion, garlic, or leek) of the lily family distinguished by a characteristic odor, sheathing, mostly basal leaves, and clusters of usu. white, blue, purple, pink, or red flowers  2 a  :  a plant of the genus Allium  b  :  the bulb of garlic formerly used in medicine esp. as an expectorant and rubefacient .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  al·um 
 
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