Bā'di-an, n.

n. [Fr. badian, badiane, Ger. badian, prob. from Lat. badius, brown, It. bajo, Sp. bajo, Fr. & Pr. bai, because the capsules of this plant are of such a color.] (Bot.) A tree of the Magnolia family (Illicium anisatum), the aromatic seeds of which are much used in China and elsewhere to flavor articles of food. Simmonds.