asarum

[ as-er-uhm ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the dried rhizome and roots of wild ginger that yield an acrid resin and a volatile, aromatic oil, used chiefly as a flavoring.

asarum

/ ˈæsərəm /

noun

1. the dried strong-scented root of the wild ginger plant: a flavouring agent and source of an aromatic oil used in perfumery, formerly used in medicine

Word History and Origins

Origin of asarum¹

< Latin < Greek ásaron hazelwort, wild spikenard

Word History and Origins

Origin of asarum¹

C19: via New Latin from Latin: hazelwort, from Greek asaron

Example Sentences

True ginger must not be confounded with "wild ginger," which is a small herbaceous plant (Asarum canadense) of the United States.

From Project Gutenberg

The long, slender rhizomes of Asarum have a pungent, aromatic taste similar to ginger.

From Project Gutenberg

It is probably a mixture of asarum-camphor and some partially oxidised volatile oil.

From Project Gutenberg

It also feeds upon wild ginger or Asarum and probably upon other plants.

From Project Gutenberg