turmeric

turmeric
    n 1: widely cultivated tropical plant of India having yellow
         flowers and a large aromatic deep yellow rhizome; source of
         a condiment and a yellow dye [syn: {turmeric}, {Curcuma
         longa}, {Curcuma domestica}]
    2: ground dried rhizome of the turmeric plant used as seasoning
    

Turmeric \Tur"mer*ic\, n. [F. terre-m['e]rite, NL. terramerita,
   turmerica; apparently meaning, excellent earth, but perhaps a
   corruption of Ar. kurkum. Cf. {Curcuma}.]
   1. (Bot.) An East Indian plant of the genus {Curcuma}, of the
      Ginger family.
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   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.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Turmeric \Tur"mer*ic\, a. (Chem.)
   Of or pertaining to turmeric; resembling, or obtained from,
   turmeric; specif., designating an acid obtained by the
   oxidation of turmerol.
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   {Turmeric paper} (Chem.), paper impregnated with turmeric and
      used as a test for alkaline substances, by which it is
      changed from yellow to brown.

   {Turmeric root}. (Bot.)
   (a) Bloodroot.
   (b) Orangeroot.
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Bloodroot \Blood"root`\, n. (Bot.)
   A plant ({Sanguinaria Canadensis}), with a red root and red
   sap, and bearing a pretty, white flower in early spring; --
   called also {puccoon}, {redroot}, {bloodwort}, {tetterwort},
   {turmeric}, and {Indian paint}. It has acrid emetic
   properties, and the rootstock is used as a stimulant
   expectorant. See {Sanguinaria}.
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   Note: In England the name is given to the tormentil, once
         used as a remedy for dysentery.
         [1913 Webster]