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jalap

 - 3 dictionary results

jal⋅ap

[jal-uhp, jah-luhp]
–noun
1. the dried tuberous root of any of several plants, esp. Exogonium purga, of the morning glory family, or the light yellowish powder derived from it, used in medicine chiefly as a purgative.
2. any of these plants.

Origin:
1665–75; < MF < Sp (purga de) Jalapa purgative from Jalapa


ja⋅lap⋅ic [ja-lap-ik, jah-] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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jal·ap   (jāl'əp, jä'ləp)   
n.  
  1. A twining eastern Mexican vine (Ipomoea purga syn. I. jalapa) having tuberous roots that are dried, powdered, and used medicinally as a cathartic.

  2. Any of several similar or related plants.

  3. The dried tuberous roots of these plants.


[French, from American Spanish jalapa, short for (purga de) Jalapa, (purgative of) Jalapa, after Jalapa.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: jal·ap
Pronunciation: 'jal-&p, 'jäl-
Function: noun
1 a : the dried tuberous root of a Mexican plant of the genusIpomoea (I. purga); also : a powdered purgative drug prepared from this root that contains resinous glycosides b : the root or derived drug of plantsrelated to the one supplying jalap —see TAMPICO JALAP
2 : a plant yielding jalap
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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