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.
Etymology: 16th-c. forms tarmaret etc. perh. f. F terre m{eacute}rite and mod.L terra merita, of unkn. orig.