turpeth
Americannoun
-
the root of an East Indian plant, Merremia (orOperculina ) turpethum, of the morning glory family, formerly used as a purgative.
-
the plant itself.
noun
-
a convolvulaceous plant, Operculina turpethum , of the East Indies, having roots with purgative properties
-
the root of this plant or the drug obtained from it
Etymology
Origin of turpeth
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Violent errhines and sialagogues, Turpeth mineral, hydrargyrus vitriolatus, asarum europ�um, euphorbium, capsicum, veratrum, nauseous smells, nauseous ideas.
From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus
Turpeth mineral in the quantity of one grain mixed with ten grains of sugar answers every purpose to be expected from errhines.
From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus
Calomel, six or eight grains; or, in an obstinate case, Turpeth Mineral or Yellow Mercury, six to twelve grains in a bolus.
From The Dog by Dinks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
