turmeric

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: tur=mer=ic

CIDE DICTIONARY

turmeric, n. [F. terre-mérite, NL. terramerita, turmerica; apparently meaning, excellent earth, but perhaps a corruption of Ar. kurkum. Cf. Curcuma.].

•  An East Indian plant of the genus Curcuma, of the Ginger family.  [1913 Webster]
•  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, a. 

 Of or pertaining to turmeric; resembling, or obtained from, turmeric; specif., designating an acid obtained by the oxidation of turmerol.  [1913 Webster]

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.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

turmeric, n.
1 an E. Indian plant, Curcuma longa, of the ginger family, yielding aromatic rhizomes used as a spice and for yellow dye.
2 this powdered rhizome used as a spice esp. in curry-powder.

Etymology

16th-c. forms tarmaret etc. perh. f. F terre m{eacute}rite and mod.L terra merita, of unkn. orig.

ROGET THESAURUS

turmeric

Bitterness

N bitterness, acridness, acridity, acrimony, caustic, alkali, acerbity, gall, wormwood, bitters, astringent bitters, Angostura, aromatic bitters, sourness, pungency, alkaloids, turmeric, bitter, bitterish, acrid, acerb, acerbic, bitter as gall, bitter pill to take, sugar coating on a bitter pill.

Condiment

N condiment, seasoning, sauce, spice, relish, appetizer, salt, mustard, grey poupon mustard, pepper, black pepper, white pepper, peppercorn, curry, sauce piquante, caviare, onion, garlic, pickle, achar, allspice, bell pepper, Jamaica pepper, green pepper, chutney, cubeb, pimento, capsicum, red pepper, chili peppers, cayenne, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, oregano, cloves, fennel, pot herbs, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, marjoram, frankincense, balm, myrrh, paprika, saffron, ginger, turmeric.