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ginseng definition

gin·seng (jin′seŋ′)

adjective

designating a family (Araliaceae, order Apiales) of dicotyledonous plants, shrubs, and trees, usually having flat clusters of small, white or greenish flowers and, often, fragrant leaves, including Hercules'-club and English ivy

Etymology: Chin jēn shēn < jēn, man (from the shape of the root) + shēn, the constellation Orion

noun

  1. any of several perennial herbs (genus Panax) of the ginseng family, with thick, forked, aromatic roots, esp. a Chinese species (P. pseudoginseng) and a North American species (P. quinquefolium)
  2. such a root, or a preparation made from it, used as a tonic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ginseng Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • take: He claims it must have been caused by taking ginseng.

Adjective modifier

  • Siberian: Immune Tonic Studies show that Siberian ginseng enhances white blood cell activity, thus providing support to a compromised immune system.

Modifies a noun

  • extract: People taking the American ginseng extract had fewer colds throughout the study period than did those taking placebo.

Noun used with modifier

  • panax: Red Kooga supplements contain the finest quality panax ginseng which has been used in the orient for thousands of years.
ginseng usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"ginseng." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ginseng>

APA Style

ginseng. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ginseng

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