zedoary

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: zed=o=ar=y

CIDE DICTIONARY

zedoary, n. [F. zédoaire, LL. zedoaria; cf. It. zedoaria, zettovario, Pg. zedoaria, Sp. zedoaria, cedoaria; all fr. Ar. & Per. zedwr.].

 A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is used in medicine as a stimulant.  [1913 Webster]
" It is the rhizome of different species of Curcuma, esp. Curcuma zedoaria, and comes in short, firm pieces, externally of a wrinkled gray, ash-colored appearance, but within of a brownish red color. There are two kinds, round zedoary, and long zedoary."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

zedoary, n. an aromatic ginger-like substance made from the rootstock of E. Indian plants of the genus Curcuma and used in medicine, perfumery, and dyeing.

Etymology

ME f. med.L zedoarium f. Pers. zidwar