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
Words nearby turmeric
turku,
turle knot,
turlock,
turlough,
turmaline,
turmeric,
turmeric paper,
turmoil,
turn,
turn a blind eye to,
turn a deaf ear
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