turpeth

[ tur-pith ]

noun
  1. the root of an East Indian plant, Merremia (or Operculina) turpethum, of the morning glory family, formerly used as a purgative.

  2. the plant itself.

Origin of turpeth

1
1350–1400; <Medieval Latin turpethum<Arabic turbid<Persian; akin to Sanskrit tripuṭā; replacing Middle English turbit(h)(e) <Old French turbit(h) <Arabic turbid, as above

Words Nearby turpeth

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How to use turpeth in a sentence

  • As one grain of turpeth mineral (vitriolic calx of mercury) mixed with ten grains of fine sugar.

    Zoonomia, Vol. II | Erasmus Darwin
  • Dissolved in vitriolic acid, called turpeth mineral, or hydrargyrus vitriolatus.

    Zoonomia, Vol. II | Erasmus Darwin
  • turpeth mineral in the quantity of one grain mixed with ten grains of sugar answers every purpose to be expected from errhines.

    Zoonomia, Vol. II | Erasmus Darwin
  • (10 grains)—Christison; and turpeth mineral has proved fatal in doses of 2·6 grms.

    Poisons: Their Effects and Detection | Alexander Wynter Blyth
  • Ethiops mineral and turpeth mineral are given to dogs when affected by the distemper, worms, or the mange.

    Poisons: Their Effects and Detection | Alexander Wynter Blyth

British Dictionary definitions for turpeth

turpeth

/ (ˈtɜːpɪθ) /


noun
  1. a convolvulaceous plant, Operculina turpethum, of the East Indies, having roots with purgative properties

  2. the root of this plant or the drug obtained from it

Origin of turpeth

1
C14: from Medieval Latin turbithum, ultimately from Arabic turbid

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