jalap

American  

[jal-uhp, jah-luhp] / ˈdʒæl əp, ˈdʒɑ ləp /

noun

1. the dried tuberous root of any of several plants, especially Exogonium purga, of the morning glory family, or the light yellowish powder derived from it, used in medicine chiefly as a purgative.

2. any of these plants.

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jalap British  

/ ˈdʒæləp, dʒəˈlæpɪk /

noun

1. a Mexican convolvulaceous plant, Exogonium (or Ipomoea ) purga

2. any of several similar or related plants

3. the dried and powdered root of any of these plants, used as a purgative

4. the resin obtained from any of these plants

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Other Word Forms

• jalapic adjective

Etymology

Origin of jalap

1665–75; < Middle French < Spanish ( purga de ) Jalapa purgative from Jalapa

Example Sentences

At Barrett’s apothecary, Eliza purchased jalap and Bohea tea.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Dr. Adam Kuhn called the mercury and jalap drink “a murderous dose” and said so in the newspapers.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy

They said also that he took "jalap" at night, and that he saw as many battles as there were depicted on his carpet by Dutch art.

From With Fire and Sword An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

Paris, an English physician, had earlier reported that these pills consisted of aloes and jalap; the committee decided on aloes, with small amounts of colocynth and gamboge, as the purgatives of choice.

From Old English Patent Medicines in America by Griffenhagen, George B.

Though, judging from the taste of your jalap, I can't see how that could be.

From Amusement Only by Marsh, Richard