WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Tur"mer*ic
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. terre-m?rite, NL. terramerita, turmerica; apparently meaning, excellent earth, but perhaps a corruption of Ar. kurkum. Cf. Curcuma.]
Definition : 1. (Bot.)

Defn: An East Indian plant of the genus Curcuma, of the Ginger family.

2. The root or rootstock of the Curcuma longa. It is externally grayish, but internally of a deep, lively yellow or saffron color, and has a slight aromatic smell, and a bitterish, slightly acrid taste. It is used for a dye, a medicine, a condiment, and a chemical test.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Tur"mer*ic
Part of Speech : a.
Definition : Defn: Of or pertaining to turmeric; resembling, or obtained from, turmeric; specif., designating an acid obtained by the oxidation of turmerol. Turmeric paper (Chem.), paper impregnated with turmeric and used as a test for alkaline substances, by which it is changed from yellow to brown. -- Turmeric root. (Bot.) (a) Bloodroot. (b) Orangeroot.

(Chem.)
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913