zedoary

[ zed-oh-er-ee ]

noun

1. an East Indian drug consisting of the rhizome of either of two species of curcuma, Curcuma zedoaria or C. aromatica, used as a stimulant.

zedoary

/ ˈzɛdəʊərɪ /

noun

1. the dried rhizome of the tropical Asian plant Curcuma zedoaria, used as a stimulant and a condiment: family Zingiberaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of zedoary¹

1425–75; late Middle English zeduarye < Medieval Latin zeduāria < Arabic zadwār (< Persian ) + Latin -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of zedoary¹

C15: from Medieval Latin zedoaria, from Arabic zadwār, of Persian origin

Example Sentences

Cetewale is generally explained as the herb valerian, but is certainly zedoary; see the Glossary.

From Project Gutenberg

And all carried rue and wormwood in their hands, and myrrh and zedoary in their mouths, as protection against infection.

From Project Gutenberg