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n. 1. A widely cultivated tropical plant (Curcuma longa) of India, having yellow flowers and an aromatic, somewhat fleshy rhizome. 2. The powdered rhizome of this plant, used as a spice and a yellow dye. 3. Any of several other plants having similar rhizomes. [Alteration of Middle English termeryte; akin to French terre mérite and New Latin terra merita, turmeric (New Latin, from Latin terra, earth; see ters- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + merita, feminine past participle of merēre, to deserve; see (s)mer-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] |
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