Definition of TURMERIC

turmeric

Meanings

Plural: turmerics

Noun

  • widely cultivated tropical plant of India having yellow flowers and a large aromatic deep yellow rhizome; source of a condiment and a yellow dye
  • ground dried rhizome of the turmeric plant used as seasoning
  • An Indian plant (Curcuma longa), with aromatic rhizomes, part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).
  • The pulverized rhizome of the turmeric plant, used for flavoring and to add a bright yellow color to food.
  • A yellow to reddish-brown dye extracted from the turmeric plant.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English turmeryte, tarmaret, of uncertain origin. Possibly corrupted from Arabic كُرْكُم (kurkum, “Curcuma”). Others have theorized it might come from Old French terre mérite (“deserving earth”).

Synonyms

Curcuma domestica, Curcuma longa, E100, haldi

Scrabble Score: 12

turmeric is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
turmeric is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
turmeric is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

turmeric is a valid Words With Friends word