ginger

¹gin·ger

noun \ˈjin-jər\

Definition of GINGER

1

a (1) : a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes medicinally (2) : the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger

b : any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes; especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most commercial ginger — compare wild ginger

2

: pep <the ginger to … work hard — Willa Cather>

3

: a light reddish or reddish-brown color <ginger hair>

— gin·gery \ˈjinj-rē, ˈjin-jə-\ adjective

Examples of GINGER

1. The recipe calls for a teaspoon of ginger.
2. <a 60-year-old with the ginger to consider skydiving lessons>

Origin of GINGER

Middle English, alteration of Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, alteration of Latin zingiber, from Greek zingiberi, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Pali siṅgivēra ginger

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GINGER

Synonyms

beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, energy, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, vigor, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, moxie, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vim, vinegar, vitality, zing, zip

Antonyms

lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity

Related Words

animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spirit, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunk, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity; ardor, élan, fervor, fire, passion, zeal; main, metal, mettle, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, stamina, strength; brawniness, fitness, hardiness, huskiness, sturdiness, virility; health, healthiness, soundness, verdure, wellness

Near Antonyms

indolence, laziness; debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness; enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with GINGER

binger, injure, singer, swinger

²ginger

transitive verb

gin·geredgin·ger·ing \ˈjinj-riŋ, ˈjin-jə-\

Definition of GINGER

: to make lively : pep up <ginger up the tourist trade — New York Times>

First Known Use of GINGER

1849

gin·ger

noun \ˈjin-jər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of GINGER

1

a : a thickened pungent aromatic rhizome that is used as a spice and sometimes in medicine b : the spice usually prepared by drying and grinding ginger

2

: any of a genus (Zingiber of the family Zingiberaceae, the ginger family) of herbs with pungent aromatic rhizomes; especially : a widely cultivated tropical herb (Z. officinale) that supplies most of the ginger of commerce

ginger

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Herbaceous perennial plant (Zingiber officinale; family Zingiberaceae), probably native to South Asia, or its aromatic, pungent rhizome, which is used as a spice, flavouring, food, and medicine. The spice has a slightly biting taste and is used, usually dried and ground, to flavour breads, sauces, curry dishes, confections, pickles, and ginger ale. The fresh rhizome is used in cooking. The leafy stems of the plant bear flowers in dense conelike spikes. Oil distilled from the rhizome is used in foods and perfumes.