turmeric
turmeric Lexical Profile
turmeric Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A bright yellow aromatic powder obtained from the dried and ground rhizome of a tropical ginger-family plant, widely used as a seasoning, food coloring, and key ingredient in curry powders and mustards.
"She added a teaspoon of ground turmeric to the simmering lentil soup to give it a warm, earthy flavor and golden hue."
The fleshy, tuberous underground rhizome of Curcuma longa, featuring tough brown skin and vibrant orange flesh, grated or sliced fresh as an aromatic root vegetable in South and Southeast Asian cuisine.
"Be careful when peeling fresh turmeric root, as the vivid orange juice will easily stain your fingers and cutting board."
A perennial herbaceous plant (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, characterized by large oblong leaves and pale yellow cylindrical flower spikes.
"Turmeric thrives in warm, humid climates with well-drained soil and plenty of seasonal rainfall."
Word Nuance & Usage
The first 'r' in 'turmeric' is often silent in everyday spoken English, leading to the common mispronunciation and misspelling 'tumeric'.
Word Origin & Etymology
Entered English in the mid-16th century, likely via early modern French 'terre mérite' or Medieval Latin 'terra merita' (meaning 'deserving earth'), possibly influenced by an alteration of Arabic 'kurkum' (saffron or turmeric).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.