Also 7 vaynilla. β 7 vinello-, 8 vanello, 8–9 vanelloe (8 -eloe); 8 vanilio, -illio, 8–9 vanillo-. [In earlier use a. and ad. older Sp. vaynilla, now vainilla, dim. of vaina (:—L. vāgīna VAGINA) sheath. Subsequently a. mod. botanical L. Vanilla, from the same source. Cf. It. vainiglia, Pg. bainilha, baunilha, F. vanille VANILLE.]
1. A pod produced by one or other species of the genus Vanilla (see sense 2), esp. V. planifolia. Chiefly in pl.
α. 1662. H. Stubbe, Indian Nectar, ii. 11. They added … the Vaynillas [to the chocolate] for the like ends, and to strengthen the brain. Ibid., 17. Afterwards to mix the Vaynillas, cut into pieces, and dryed.
1673. Ray, Journ. Low C., 485. Vanillas which they mingle with the Cacao to make Chocolate.
β. 1699. Dampier, Voy., 38. There grow on this Coast Vinelloes in great quantity, with which Chocolate is perfumed.
1731. Arbuthnot, Aliments, VI. v. (1735), 150. When … mix’d with Vanillios, or Spices, it [chocolate] acquires likewise the good and bad Qualities of aromatick Oils.
1757. A. Cooper, Distiller, III. li. (1760), 220. Angelica-Seed, Vanellos and Mace, of each one Ounce and a half.
1758. [R. Dossie], Elaboratory laid open, 318. Cut the vanilloes into small pieces.
1812. J. Smyth, Pract. of Customs (1821), 267. Vanelloes are long flat pods, containing a reddish pulp, with small shining black seeds,… but seldom imported.
1854. Mayne, Expos. Lex., 311/2. The vanelloe is a long flattish pod [etc.].
2. The climbing orchid Vanilla planifolia, or other species related to this; the tropical (American) genus to which these belong.
α. 1698. T. Froger, Voy., 129. The Vanilla is a plant that creeps up along other trees, in the same manner as Ivy does.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica (1789), 11. Nor does the vanilla … grow any where … in greater perfection.
1783. Justamond, trans. Raynal’s Hist. Indies, III. 340. The vanilla is a plant which, like the ivy, grows to the trees it meets with.
c. 1820. Waterton, Wand S. Amer. (1825), 182. In some parts of these forests I saw the Vanilla growing luxuriantly.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVI. 116/2. The reason of the vanilla not producing fruit in Europe when it has flowered.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 91/2. The vanilla is an epiphyte, or air-plant.
β. 1702. Propos. Effectual War in Amer., 19. Cacao-Trees and the Vanilio grow there [Granada in America] naturally.
1748. Phil. Trans., XLV. 160. The Vanelloe. With the Fruit of this Plant the Spaniards perfume their Chocolate.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., App. 330. Vanilla, or Vaneloe, Epidendrum.
1772–84. Cook’s Voy. (1790), IV. 1323. The known kind of plants to be found here are … a shrubbery speedwell, sow-thistles, virgin’s bower, vanelloe.
b. With pl. One or other species of this genus.
1827. O. W. Roberts, Voy. Centr. Amer., 87. Their country abounded in vanilloes and sarsaparilla.
1829. Loudon, Encycl. Plants (1836), 765. The Vanillæ shoot out roots at every joint like the Ivy.
1855. Kingsley, Westw. Ho! xxiii. One hanging garden of crimson and orange orchids or vanillas.
1874. Athenæum, 10 Oct., 488/1. La Liberté states that a wild vanilla has been introduced into commerce.
c. With distinguishing terms.
1829. Loudon, Encycl. Plants (1836), 764. Vanilla aromatica, aromatic Vanilla. [V.] planifolia, fragrant Vanilla.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVI. 116/1. V. claviculata, Tendril-bearing Vanilla…. V. grandiflora, Large-flowered Vanilla.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1201/1. Cuba Vanilla, Critonia Dalea.
3. The aromatic substance composed of, or obtained from, the slender pod-like capsule of Vanilla planifolia or related species, much used as a flavoring or perfume.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Chocolate, To have the better market for their Cacao Nuts, Achiott, Vanilla, and other Drugs.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v., The pods … of the simarona, which is also called bastard Vanilla, are the smallest of all the kinds. The ley kind is the only good Vanilla.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 265. The aromatic substance called Vanilla is the succulent fruit of a climbing West Indian plant of the order [Orchideæ].
1852. Th. Ross, trans. Humboldt’s Trav., II. xvi. 63. The English and the Anglo-Americans often seek to make purchases of vanilla at the port of La Guayra.
1870. Yeats, Nat. Hist. Comm., 152. As an aromatic, vanilla is much used by confectioners for flavouring ices and custards.
b. A kind or variety of this. (See also quot. 1866.)
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v., The smell of the Vanillas ought to be penetrating and agreeable.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVI. 115/2. It does not appear that any of the Brazilian vanillas for the substance known in trade.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1204/1. Chica Vanilla, the Panama name for the fruit of a species of Sobralia.
1884. Encycl. Brit., XXIV. 67/2. None of the South American vanillas appear to be used in Great Britain for flavouring purposes.
4. attrib. and Comb., as vanilla bean, ice, orchid, pod, sugar, worker; vanilla grass (see quot.); vanilla plant (a) = sense 2; (b) an American species of Liatris.
1886. American, XII. 318. The aromatic principle of the *vanilla bean.
1898. 19th Cent., April, 644. Spices should be added, such as … cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla bean.
1856. A. Gray, Man. Bot. (1860), 574. Hierochloa borealis. *Vanilla or Seneca Grass.
1846. Soyer, Cookery, 553. Garnish with a custard made as for *vanilla ice.
1883. R. B. White, in Proc. R. Geog. Soc. (N.S.), V. 260. A forest … in which the trees are literally over-burdened with the *vanilla orchid.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl. s.v., The leaves of the *Vanilla plant are about a foot long, and three fingers breadth wide.
1839. Ure, Dict. Arts, etc., 1263. The vanilla plant is cultivated in Brazil,… and some other tropical countries.
1854. Mayne, Expos. Lex., 311/2. Epidendrum Vanilla, the systematic name of the vanelloe plant.
1856. A. Gray, Man. Bot. (1860), 185. Liatris odoratissima. Vanilla-plant…. Leaves exhaling the odor of Vanilla when bruised.
1887. Moloney, Forestry W. Africa, 421. The source of the *vanilla pods of commerce.
1888. Encycl. Brit., XXIV. 66/2. The best varieties of vanilla pods are of a dark chocolate brown or nearly black colour.
1846. Soyer, Cookery, 569. Serve with whipped cream flavoured with *vanilla sugar under it.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 923. *Vanilla-workers sometimes manifest lichen-erythema of the face and hands.
