ginseng

noun gin·seng \ˈjin-ˌseŋ, -ˌsiŋ\

: a Chinese herb that is used as a medicine

Full Definition of GINSENG

a : a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng syn. P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having five leaflets on each leaf, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root valued especially locally as a medicine

b : any of several plants related to ginseng; especially : a North American herb (P. quinquefolius)

: the root of a ginseng

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Illustration of GINSENG

Origin of GINSENG

Chinese (Beijing) rénshēn

First Known Use: 1654

Rhymes with GINSENG

bang-bang, big bang, birth pang, blue tang, chain gang, cliff-hang, Da Nang, defang, go hang, harangue, linsang, meringue, mustang, orang, parang, press-gang, shebang, slam-bang, straphang, trepang, whizbang

Medical Dictionary

ginseng

noun gin·seng \ˈjin-ˌseŋ, -ˌsaŋ, -(ˌ)siŋ\

Medical Definition of GINSENG

a : a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having 5-foliolate leaves, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root valued especially locally as a medicine b : any of several plants (especially genus Panax) related to or used as substitutes for the Chinese ginseng; especially : a North American woodland herb (P. quinquefolius)

: the aromatic root of a ginseng that is used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia