galingale

American  

[gal-in-geyl, -ing-] / ˈgæl ɪnˌgeɪl, -ɪŋ- /

noun

1. any sedge of the genus Cyperus, especially an Old World species, C. longus, having aromatic roots.

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galingale British  

/ ˈɡælɪŋˌɡeɪl /

noun

1. a European cyperaceous plant, Cyperus longus, with rough-edged leaves, reddish spikelets of flowers, and aromatic roots

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Etymology

Origin of galingale

First recorded in 1275–1325, in the sense “aromatic rhizome of the genus Alpinia ”; Middle English galyngal, galyngale from Middle French galingal, garingal, from Medieval Latin galinga, galanga, galingala, from Arabic khalanjān, khalunjān, khūlunjān, from Persian khūlanjān; further origin uncertain; cf. galangal ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

galingale

Now much of it is at the local Safeway: fresh turmeric, several kinds of Thai basil, gingers like galingale, and strange fruits, including the dread durian, which tastes sublime but smells foul.

From Time Magazine Archive

My lord, you rule wide country, rolling and rich with clover, galingale and all the grains: red wheat and hoary barley.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

The Island is of surpassing wealth, producing black pepper, nutmegs, spikenard, galingale, cubebs, cloves, and all other kinds of spices.

From The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2 by Yule, Henry

Elms burnt and willow trees and tamarisks, and lotos burnt and rush and galingale which round the fair streams of the river grew in multitude.

From The Iliad by Homer

Nay, here are oaks and galingale: the hum of housing bees Makes the place pleasant, and the birds are piping in the trees.

From Theocritus, translated into English Verse by Theocritus