turmeric
turmeric Lexical Profile
turmeric Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A bright yellow, aromatic powder obtained from the dried and ground rhizome of a plant in the ginger family, widely used as a flavoring and coloring agent in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, as well as in traditional medicine.
"She added a pinch of turmeric to the rice to give it a vibrant golden color and an earthy flavor."
A tropical Asian plant of the ginger family (Curcuma longa), characterized by large green leaves and pale yellow flowers, cultivated primarily for its thick, commercially valuable rhizomes.
"The farmer successfully grew turmeric in the warm, humid climate of the coastal region."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'tarmaret' or 'turmeryte', likely via Old French 'terre merite' (deserving earth) or Medieval Latin 'terra merita'. This may have been an alteration of an Arabic term or a descriptive name highlighting its value.