zedoaryhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zedoary_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezedoary, n.
Revised 2018

zedoarynoun

  1. Old English–
    Any of several species of the genus Curcuma (family Zingiberaceae), esp. C. zedoaria, which are native to south Asia and have aromatic, tuberous rhizomes. Also: the rhizome of such a plant, used in cooking and (formerly) as a medicinal agent.
    The rhizomes of this plant were sometimes distinguished as long zedoary and round zedoary by apothecaries, depending on their shape.
    1. OE
      To wensealfe..nim garleaces godne dæl; cnuca, & wring þurh clað on gemered hunig; þonne hit swiðe gesoden sy, þonne do ðu pipor & sideware, gallengar & gingifre.
      Lacnunga (2001) vol. I. xxx. 18
    2. OE
      To eahsealfe: nim aluwan & sidewaran, lawerberian & pipor.
      Lacnunga (2001) vol. I. xxxvii. 22
    3. ?c1425
      Take..of clowes, of maces, of notemuges, of gynger, of zedoare [Latin zedoare], [etc.].
      translation of Guy de Chauliac, Grande Chirurgie (Paris MS.) (1971) 158 (Middle English Dictionary)
    4. a1475
      Oþir men don herto femigreke, nigelle, and zedwarie.
      translation of Gilbertus Anglicus, Compendium Medicinæ (Wellcome MS.) (1991) 152 (Middle English Dictionary)
    5. a1500
      Hoc zeduarium, zeduarye.
      in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker, Anglo-Saxon & Old English Vocabulary (1884) vol. I. 714/11
    6. ?1550
      Zedwary, chawed..and swallowed..taketh awaye the grefe of the bely.
      H. Llwyd, translation of Pope John XXI, Treasury of Healthe sig. I.vi
    7. 1560
      After that you haue eaten Garlike, Leekes, or Onions,..eate a piece of the roote of Zeduaria, and you shall not smell at all.
      W. Ward, translation of G. Ruscelli, 2nd Part Secretes Alexis of Piemont 39
    8. 1655
      Take for a Man forty graines of the best Jollop grated, and of Sedoary five graines.
      Natura Exenterata 244
    9. 1674
      If thou art troubled with Gripings or Inflation of the Belly, take of Zedoar, or Angelica-roots, or Orange-peels.
      translation of R. Minderer, Medicina Militaris vi. 66
    10. 1684
      Zedoary is most powerfull against vitreous Phlegm.
      translation of T. Bonet, Guide to Practical Physician iii. 103
    11. 1736
      Take..Zedoary Root 10 Grains.
      Complete Family-piece i. i. 39
    12. 1748
      The druggists distinguish..the long zedoary and the round zedoary but they differ from one another only in shape, and seem to be different parts of the same root.
      W. Lewis, translation of Pharmacopoeia Royal Coll. Physicians Edinburgh 71
    13. 1773
      Zedoary is the root of a plant said to be of the Ginger kind, growing in different parts of the East Indies, and brought to us chiefly from Bengal.
      W. Lewis, translation of C. Neumann, Chemical Works (ed. 2) vol. II. 201
    14. 1819
      Zedoary,..the dry root [of Curcuma Zerumbet] appears to be the zedoaria of the shops in England.
      A. Rees, Cyclopædia vol. XXXIX
    15. 1866
      C. aromatica and C. Zedoaria furnish Zedoary tubers,..used by the natives of India as aromatic tonics, and as a perfume.
      J. Lindley & T. Moore, Treasury of Botany vol. I. at Curcuma
    16. 1880
      The undergrowth..consists of cardamom, wild ginger, zedoary, rattan, a small bamboo,..and a few ferns.
      C. R. Markham, Peruvian Bark v. 347
    17. 1901
      40 cwt zedory roots.
      Times of India 7 July 10/2
    18. 1936
      Zedoary is a forgotten spice. A famous condiment of medieval times, it has dropped out of use almost completely.
      American Home February 42/2
    19. 1963
      The Himalayan foothills are the home of the zedoary (Curcuma Zedoaria).
      Econ. Botany vol. 17 130/1
    20. 2015
      Finely sliced fresh zedoary is added to salads or raw vegetables.
      J. Norman, Herbs & Spices (revised edition) 199/1

zedoary, n. was revised in June 2018.

zedoary, n. was last modified in December 2024.