turmeric

tur·mer·ic   (tûr'mər-ĭk, tōō'-)    n.   A widely cultivated tropical plant (Curcuma domestica) of India, having yellow flowers and an aromatic, somewhat fleshy rhizome. The powdered rhizome of this plant, used as a condiment and a yellow dye. Any of several other plants having similar rhizomes. [Alteration of Middle English termeryte, from Old French terre-merite, saffron, from Medieval Latin terra merita : Latin terra, earth; see ters- in Indo-European roots + Latin merita, feminine past participle of merēre, to deserve; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots.]

Main Entry: tur·mer·ic
Pronunciation: 't&r-m&-rik
Variant: also tu·mer·ic /'t(y)ü-m&-/
Function:noun
1 : an East Indian perennial herb (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) with a large aromatic deep yellow rhizome
2 : thecleaned, boiled, dried, and usually pulverized rhizome of the turmeric plant used as a coloring agent, a condiment, or a stimulant
3 : a yellow to reddish brown dyestuff obtainedfrom turmeric