turmeric Hear it!

turmeric definition

tur·meric (tʉr′mər ik)

noun

    1. an East Indian plant (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family, whose rhizome in powdered form is used as a yellow dye or a seasoning, and in medicine
    2. its aromatic rhizome or the powder made from it
  2. any of several other plants having tuberous rhizomes

Etymology: earlier also tormerik < MFr terre-mérite < ML terra merita, lit., deserved (or deserving) earth < ?

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook