jalap Hear it!

jalap definition

jalap (jal′əp)

noun

  1. the dried root of a Mexican vine (Ipomoea purga) of the morning-glory family, formerly used as a purgative
  2. a resin obtained from this root
  3. the plant bearing this root
  4. any of several other plants with similar roots

Etymology: Fr < Sp jalapa, after Jalapa, whence it is imported

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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