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ginger
(jin′jər)
adjective
designating a family (Zingiberaceae, order Zingiberales) of aromatic, monocotyledonous tropical plants, including galangal
Origin: ME gingere, gingivere < OE gingifer & OFr gingivre, both < ML gingiber < L zingiber < Gr zingiberi < Pali siṅgivera
noun
- an Asiatic herb (Zingiber officinale) of the ginger family, widely cultivated in the tropics for its aromatic rhizome, used as a spice or perfume and in medicine
- the rhizome, or the spice made from it
- a sandy or reddish-brown color
- ☆ Informal vigor; spirit
transitive verb
- to flavor with ginger
- to invigorate; enliven
noun
a feminine name
See ginger in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A plant (Zingiber officinale) of tropical southeast Asia having yellowish-green flowers and a pungent aromatic rhizome.
- The rhizome of this plant, often dried and powdered and used as a spice. Also called gingerroot.
- a. Any of several related plants having variously colored, often fragrant flowers.b. Wild ginger.
- A strong brown.
- Informal Spirit and liveliness; vigor.
- To spice with ginger.
- Informal To make lively: A steel drum band gingered up the party.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English gingivere
Origin: , from Old English gingifer
Origin: and from Old French gingivre
Origin: , both from Medieval Latin gingiber
Origin: , from Latin zingiberi
Origin: , from Greek zingiberis
Origin: , of Middle Indic origin (akin to Pali singiveram)
Origin: , from Dravidian
Origin: : akin to Tamil iñci, ginger (of southeast Asian origin)
Origin: + Tamil vēr, root
.Related Forms:
- ginˈger·y adjective
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