curcuma

noun

cur·​cu·​ma

ˈkərkyəmə

1

a

capitalized : a genus of Old World tropical herbs (family Zingiberaceae) having tuberous roots and spicate flowers, some members having roots that yield starch see turmeric, zedoary

b

plural -s : any plant of the genus Curcuma

2

-s

a

: an arrowroot obtained from a curcuma

b

: turmeric sense 1a(2)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Arabic kurkum saffron, crocus

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