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ginseng
(dʒɪnseŋ)
uncountable noun
Ginseng is the root of a plant found in China, Korea, and America which some people believe is good for your health.
ginseng in British English
(ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ)
noun
1.
either of two araliaceous plants, Panax schinseng of China or P. quinquefolius of North America, whose forked aromatic roots are used medicinally
2.
the root of either of these plants or a substance obtained from the roots, believed to possess stimulant, tonic, and energy-giving properties
Word origin
C17: from Mandarin Chinese jen shen, from jen man (from a resemblance of the roots to human legs) + shen ginsengginseng in American English
(ˈdʒɪnˌsɛŋ)
adjective
1.
designating a family (Araliaceae, order Apiales) of dicotyledonous plants, shrubs, and trees, usually having flat clusters of small, white or greenish flowers and, often, fragrant leaves, including Hercules'-club and English ivy
noun
2.
any of several perennial herbs (genus Panax) of the ginseng family, with thick, forked, aromatic roots, esp. a Chinese species (P. pseudoginseng) and a North American species (P. quinquefolium)
3.
such a root, or a preparation made from it, used as a tonic
Word origin
Chin jēn shēn < jēn, man (from the shape of the root) + shēn, the constellation OrionImage ofginseng
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