pinkroot

[ pingk-root, -roo t ]

/ ˈpɪŋkˌrut, -ˌrʊt /

noun

the root of any of various plants belonging to the genus Spigelia, of the logania family, especially that of S. marilandica of the U.S., that is used as a vermifuge.

any of these plants.

Nearby words

pinkie, pinking iron, pinking shears, pinkish, pinko, pinkroot, pinkster, pinky, pinky bar, pinna, pinnace

Origin of pinkroot

An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; pink¹ + root¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pinkroot

Collection, Prices and Uses — Pinkroot is collected after the flowering period.
Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants|A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding
All the above preparations of pinkroot are regarded as powerful and certain anthelmintics; particularly the last two.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
Pinkroot has a pleasant, aromatic odor, and the taste is described as sweetish, bitter and pungent.
Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants|A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding
Pinkroot was long known by the Indians, and its properties were made known to physicians by them.
Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants|A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding

British Dictionary definitions for pinkroot

pinkroot

/ (ˈpɪŋkˌruːt) /

noun

any of several loganiaceous plants of the genus Spigelia, esp S. marilandica, of the southeastern US, having red-and-yellow flowers and pink roots

the powdered root of this plant, used as a vermifuge

a fungal disease of onions and related plants resulting in stunted growth and shrivelled pink roots

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012