also  tu*mer*ic  n 1  :  an East Indian perennial herb (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) with a large aromatic deep yellow rhizome  2  :  the cleaned, boiled, dried, and usu. pulverized rhizome of the turmeric plant used as a coloring agent, a condiment, or a stimulant  3  :  a yellow to reddish brown dyestuff obtained from turmeric .
 
 
 
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