zedoary

American  

[zed-oh-er-ee] / ˈzɛd oʊˌɛr i /

noun

1. an East Indian drug consisting of the rhizome of either of two species of curcuma, Curcuma zedoaria or C. aromatica, used as a stimulant.

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zedoary British  

/ ˈzɛdəʊərɪ /

noun

1. the dried rhizome of the tropical Asian plant Curcuma zedoaria, used as a stimulant and a condiment: family Zingiberaceae

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Etymology

Origin of zedoary

1425–75; late Middle English zeduarye < Medieval Latin zeduāria < Arabic zadwār (< Persian ) + Latin -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

Here is one of them, famous in Charles the Second's days as 'Sir Walter's Cordial':- B. Zedoary and Saffron, each 0.5 lb.

From Sir Walter Raleigh and His Time by Kingsley, Charles

But above all, of Wine Vinegar in small Quantities, rendered grateful to the Stomach by the Infusion of some such Ingredients as Gentian Root, Galangal, Zedoary, Juniper Berries, &c.

From A Discourse on the Plague by Mead, Richard

Zedoary is produced in the territory of Calicut.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 02 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert