Main Entry: sar·sa·pa·ril·la

Pronunciation: \ˌsas-(ə-)pə-ˈril-ə, ˌsärs-, -ˈrel-\

Function: noun

1 a : any of various tropical American plants of the genus Smilax b : any of various plants (as wild sarsaparilla, Aralia nudicaulis) that resemble or are used as a substitute for the sarsaparillas
2 a : the dried roots of any of several sarsaparillas of the genus Smilax (especially S. aristolochiaefolia, S. febrifuga, and S. regelii) used now especially as a flavoring and formerly for the diaphoretic, expectorant, and laxative effects of the saponins found in them and without curative effect in the treatment of syphilis b : the roots of wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) used similarly