n. 1 an E. Indian plant, Curcuma longa, of the ginger family, yielding aromatic rhizomes used as a spice and for yellow dye. 2 this powdered rhizome used as a spice esp. in curry-powder.
[ 16th-c. forms tarmaret etc. perh. f. F terre mérite and mod.L terra merita, of unkn. orig. ]