TURMERIC

turmeric. Turmeric, n. an Indian root used in dying

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Tur″mer‐ic (?), n. [[F. terre-mérite, NL. terramerita, turmerica; apparently meaning, excellent earth, but perhaps a corruption of Ar. kurkum. Cf. Curcuma.]] 1. 1. (Bot.) An East Indian plant of the genus Curcuma, of the Ginger family.
2. 2. The root or rootstock of the Curcuma longa. It is externally grayish, but internally of a deep, lively yellow or saffron color, and has a slight aromatic smell, and a bitterish, slightly acrid taste. It is used for a dye, a medicine, a condiment, and a chemical test.