galingale

[ gal-in-geyl, -ing- ]

noun

1. any sedge of the genus Cyperus, especially an Old World species, C. longus, having aromatic roots.

galingale

/ ˈɡælɪŋˌɡeɪl /

noun

1. a European cyperaceous plant, Cyperus longus, with rough-edged leaves, reddish spikelets of flowers, and aromatic roots

Word History and Origins

Origin of galingale¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, in the sense “aromatic rhizome of the genus Alpinia ”; Middle English galyngal, galyngale from Middle French galingal, garingal, from Medieval Latin galinga, galanga, galingala, from Arabic khalanjān, khalunjān, khūlunjān, from Persian khūlanjān; further origin uncertain; galangal ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of galingale¹

C13: from Old French galingal, from Arabic khalanjān, from Chinese kaoliang-chiang, from Kaoliang district in Guangdong province + chiang ginger

Example Sentences

My lord, you rule wide country, rolling and rich with clover, galingale and all the grains: red wheat and hoary barley.

From Literature

Add of cinnamon and galingale, one quarter of an ounce each, of red rose-leaves, borage and bugloss flowers, one handful each, and of yellow sanders one dram.

From Project Gutenberg

Pungent sauces of vinegar, verjuice, and wine were very much favoured, and cloves, cinnamon, galingale, pepper, and ginger appear unexpectedly in meat dishes.

From Project Gutenberg

The country produces ginger and galingale in immense quantities, insomuch that for a Venice groat you may buy fourscore pounds of good fine-flavoured ginger.

From Project Gutenberg

Nay, here are oaks and galingale: the hum of housing bees Makes the place pleasant, and the birds are piping in the trees.

From Project Gutenberg