n. 1 an aromatic rhizome of an E. Asian plant of the genus Alpinia, formerly used in cookery and medicine. 2 (in full English galingale) a sedge (Cyperus longus) having a root with similar properties.
[ OE gallengar OF galingal f. Arab. kalanjan f. Chin. ge-liang-jiang mild ginger from Ge in Canton ]