turmeric

[ tur-mer-ik ]
/ ˈtɜr mər ɪk /

noun

the aromatic rhizome of an Asian plant, Curcuma domestica (or C. longa), of the ginger family.
a powder prepared from it, used as a condiment, as in curry powder, or as a yellow dye, a medicine, etc.
the plant itself.
any of various similar substances or plants.

Origin of turmeric

1530–40; earlier tarmaret < Medieval Latin terra merita merited earth, unexplained name for curcuma

Example sentences from the Web for turmeric

British Dictionary definitions for turmeric

turmeric
/ (ˈtɜːmərɪk) /

noun

a tropical Asian zingiberaceous plant, Curcuma longa, having yellow flowers and an aromatic underground stem
the powdered stem of this plant, used as a condiment and as a yellow dye
any of several other plants with similar roots

Word Origin for turmeric

C16: from Old French terre merite, from Medieval Latin terra merita, literally: meritorious earth, name applied for obscure reasons to curcuma