ginseng

[ jin-seng ]
/ ˈdʒɪn sɛŋ /

noun

any of several plants of the genus Panax, especially P. pseudoginseng, of eastern Asia, or P. qinquefolius, of North America, having an aromatic root used medicinally.
the root itself.
a preparation made from it.
Also genseng.

Origin of ginseng

1645–55; < Chinese (Wade-Giles) jên2 shên1, (Pinyin) rén-shēn, equivalent to rén man + shēn name for a kind of herb

Example sentences from the Web for ginseng

British Dictionary definitions for ginseng

ginseng
/ (ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ) /

noun

either of two araliaceous plants, Panax schinseng of China or P. quinquefolius of North America, whose forked aromatic roots are used medicinally
the root of either of these plants or a substance obtained from the roots, believed to possess stimulant, tonic, and energy-giving properties

Word Origin for ginseng

C17: from Mandarin Chinese jen shen, from jen man (from a resemblance of the roots to human legs) + shen ginseng