curcuma

American  

[kur-kyoo-muh] / ˈkɜr kyʊ mə /

noun

1. any of various chiefly Old World plants belonging to the genus Curcuma, of the ginger family, as C. domestica, yielding turmeric, or C. zedoaria, yielding zedoary.

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curcuma British  

/ ˈkɜːkjʊmə /

noun

1. any tropical Asian tuberous plant of the genus Curcuma, such as C. longa, which is the source of turmeric, and C. zedoaria, which is the source of zedoary: family Zingiberaceae

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Etymology

Origin of curcuma

1610–20; < New Latin < Arabic kurkum saffron, turmeric; cf. crocus

Example Sentences

Turmeric spice comes from another plant part — the rhizomes, or underground stems, of the flowering plant Curcuma longa.

From Salon • Jun. 20, 2023

A: Turmeric, an underground stem from a plant called Curcuma longa, has a wide range of potential health benefits.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022

Turmeric, the root of a plant called Curcuma longa, a native of the East Indies, used as a yellow dye.

From A Treatise on Domestic Economy For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School by Beecher, Catharine Esther

Turmeric is the underground stem or tuber of Curcuma tinctoria, a plant growing abundantly in the East Indies.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 8 "Dubner" to "Dyeing" by Various

Turmeric: The root of a plant called Curcuma longa, a native of the East-Indies, used as a yellow dye.

From American Woman's Home by Beecher, Catharine Esther