turmeric

[ tur-mer-ik ]

/ ˈtɜr mər ɪk /

noun

the aromatic rhizome of an Asian plant, Curcuma domestica (or C. longa), of the ginger family.

a powder prepared from it, used as a condiment, as in curry powder, or as a yellow dye, a medicine, etc.

the plant itself.

any of various similar substances or plants.

QUIZZES

Discover The Influence Of Portuguese On English Via This Quiz!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby turmeric

turku, turle knot, turlock, turlough, turmaline, turmeric, turmeric paper, turmoil, turn, turn a blind eye to, turn a deaf ear

Origin of turmeric

1530–40; earlier tarmaret < Medieval Latin terra merita merited earth, unexplained name for curcuma

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for turmeric

This is exciting because it seems that this turmeric compound can enhance the characteristics of NSCs.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Turmeric is just the latest in a long line of “brain foods.”
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Turmeric is a household spice in South Asia and a common ingredient in many curries.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Turmeric could have important abilities in healing and preventing brain damage—or this could be an aberrant finding.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Snoring—Take a cup of warm milk and mix in a tsp of Turmeric powder.
Use These 15 Home Remedies Based On Ayurveda To Cure Menstrual Cramps, Hangovers, and Indigestion|Ari Meisel|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A piece of turmeric is suspended from the ceiling by a string, and a tray containing water coloured yellow placed beneath it.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
On the following day, the bride is conducted to the house of the bridegroom, and they sprinkle each other with turmeric water.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
Seven cubits of a thread dyed with turmeric are measured on the forearm of a girl seven years old, and cut off.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
Take half a pound of turmeric, and a quarter of a pound of pearlash; boil in a gallon of water.
Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million|Sarah Josepha Hale
A quantity of turmeric roots and annatto seeds are pounded separately in mortars until they are reduced to a very fine state.
Philippine Mats|Hugo H. Miller

British Dictionary definitions for turmeric

turmeric

/ (ˈtɜːmərɪk) /

noun

a tropical Asian zingiberaceous plant, Curcuma longa, having yellow flowers and an aromatic underground stem

the powdered stem of this plant, used as a condiment and as a yellow dye

any of several other plants with similar roots

Word Origin for turmeric

C16: from Old French terre merite, from Medieval Latin terra merita, literally: meritorious earth, name applied for obscure reasons to curcuma

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