turmeric

[ tur-mer-ik, too-, tyoo- ]

noun

1. the aromatic rhizome of an Asian plant, Curcuma domestica (or C. longa ), of the ginger family.
2. a powder prepared from it, used as a condiment, as in curry powder, or as a yellow dye, a medicine, etc.
3. the plant itself.
4. any of various similar substances or plants.

turmeric

/ ˈtɜːmərɪk /

noun

1. a tropical Asian zingiberaceous plant, Curcuma longa , having yellow flowers and an aromatic underground stem
2. the powdered stem of this plant, used as a condiment and as a yellow dye
3. any of several other plants with similar roots

Word History and Origins

Origin of turmeric¹

First recorded in 1530–40; alteration of earlier tarmaret, late Middle English termerite, turmerite; akin to Medieval Latin terra merita, French terre-mérite, literally “merited earth,” an unexplained name for curcuma ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of turmeric¹

C16: from Old French terre merite , from Medieval Latin terra merita , literally: meritorious earth, name applied for obscure reasons to curcuma

Example Sentences

I opted for stews and soups infused with spices such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon, particularly Harrington’s red lentil dal recipe.

From Los Angeles Times

I often serve this with my mother’s special turmeric chicken, made with thighs and breasts.

From Salon

And more recently in April, food and drugs control authorities in Gujarat seized more than 60,000kg of adulterated spices - chilli powder, turmeric and coriander power and pickle masala.

From BBC

At the indoor spice market, the merchants arranged open crates with colored mounds of red saffron threads, yellow turmeric, purple sumac, blue salt, black pepper, brown sugar, and green dried sage.

From Literature

To make dal feels like an alchemical feat, watching the pebbly lentils turn creamy, starchy and golden with turmeric.

From Seattle Times