chə̇ˈräd.ə noun
also chi·ret·ta -red.ə
( -s )
Etymology: Hindi ciraitā, from Sanskrit cirātikta, ciratikta, perhaps from cira long-lasting (perhaps akin to Sanskrit cinoti he gathers, heaps up) + tikta sharp, pungent; akin to Sanskrit tejate it is sharp — more at poet , stick
: the dried tissues of a green gentian ( Swertia chirata ) of northern India that has been used as a bitter tonic