| zedoary | <medicine> A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is used in medicine as a stimulant. It is the rhizome of different species of Curcuma, especially. C. Zedoaria, and comes in short, firm pieces, externally of a wrinkled gray, ash-coloured appearance, but within of a brownish red colour. There are two kinds, round zedoary, and long zedoary. Origin: F. Zedoaire, LL. Zedoaria; cf. It. Zedoaria, zettovario, Pg. Zedoaria, Sp. Zedoaria, cedoaria; all fr. Ar. & Per. Zedwr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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