zedoary

[ zed-oh-er-ee ]

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.

zedoary

/ ˈzɛdəʊərɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of zedoary¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of zedoary¹

C15: from Medieval Latin zedoaria, from Arabic zadwār, of Persian origin

Example Sentences

Zerumbet, zē-rum′bet, n. an East Indian drug, the cassumunar—sometimes for the round zedoary.

From Project Gutenberg

The fortress also contained a garrison, armory, chapels, stables, forge, wardrobe for a tailor's workroom and secure storage of valuable clothes, silver plate, and expensive imports such as sugar, rice, almonds, dried fruits, cinnamon, saffron, ginger, galingale, zedoary, pepper, nutmeg, and mace.

From Project Gutenberg

From ajowan to zedoary, there are hundreds of other herbs available, in 17th century Herbalist John Parkinson's phrase, "for use and delight."

From Time Magazine Archive

There are other Roots likewise of which many valuable Compounds are form’d in order to effect that with an united Force which they could not do singly; in this Class are the Roots of Angelica, Scorzonera, Butterbur, Masterwort, Tormentil, Zedoary, Garlick, Elicampane, Valerian, Birthwort, Gentian, Bitany, and many others, which may be found in other Writings.

From Project Gutenberg

As also Lozenges of the following Composition, which are always profitable to be used fasting; of Citron Peel two Drams, Zedoary, Angelica, of each, prepar’d in Rose Vinegar, half a Dram, Citron Seeds, Wood of Aloes, Orris, of each two Scruples, Saffron, Cloves, Nutmeg, one Scruple, Myrrh, Ambergrease, of each six Grains, Sugarcandy one Ounce; make into Lozenges with Gum Traganth and Rose-water.

From Project Gutenberg