Jalap

Definitions

  • Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Jalap (Med) The tubers of the Mexican plant Ipomœa purgaor Exogonium purga) of the family Convolvulaceae, a climber much like the morning-glory. The abstract, extract, and powder, prepared from the tubers, are well known purgative (cathartic) medicines, and are also called jalap. Other species of Ipomœa yield several inferior kinds of jalap, as the Ipomœa Orizabensis, and Ipomœa tuberosa.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n jalap A drug consisting of the tuberous roots of several plants of the natural order Convolvulaceæ, that of Ipomæapurga being the most important. This is a twining herbaceous plant, with cordate-acuminate, sharply auricled leaves, and elegant salver-shaped deep-pink flowers, growing naturally on the eastern declivities of the Mexican Andes, at an elevation of from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. The jalap of commerce consists of irregular ovoid dark-brown roots, varying from the size of an egg to that of a hazelnut, but occasionally as large as a man's fist. Jalap is one of the most common purgatives, but is apt to gripe and nauseate. Male jalap, or orizaba-root, is from Ipomæa Orizabensis, and Tampico jalap from I. simulans.
    • n jalap b) Ipomœa Jalapa, of the southern United States and tropical-America. See Mechoacan root, under root.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Jalap jal′ap the purgative root of a plant first brought from Jalapa or Xalapa, in Mexico
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
F., fr. Sp. jalapa,; -- so called from Jalapa, a town in Mexico, whence it was first obtained

Usage

In literature:

His old fellow made his tin by selling jalap to Zulus or some bloody swindle or other.
"Ulysses" by James Joyce
I drink his health in a dose of the cheerful beverage known as jalap, and thresh the sheets with my hot hands.
"The Complete Works of Artemus Ward" by Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)
Take one ounce of cream of tartar, one drachm of jalap, and half a drachm of powdered ginger; mix into a thick paste with treacle.
"Enquire Within Upon Everything" by Anonymous
Now there resided in a small village near by, a brace of twins; little orphan girls, named Jalap and Ginseng.
"Cobwebs From an Empty Skull" by Ambrose Bierce (AKA: Dod Grile)
The "pills" which Dr. Livingstone often referred to were composed of resin of jalap, calomel, rhubarb, and quinine.
"The Personal Life Of David Livingstone" by William Garden Blaikie
Two sorts of jalap root occur in commerce.
"The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom" by P. L. Simmonds
They have a bilious look, as if, in case of illness, their only hope would lie in calomel and jalap.
"Western Characters" by J. L. McConnel
A purging bolus of jalap and Digitalis, once a week.
"An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses" by William Withering
They came from the walks in prime condition, and tartar and jalap did the rest.
"The Reckoning" by Robert W. Chambers
Give ten grains of jalap and reduce the amount of feed.
"One Thousand Secrets of Wise and Rich Men Revealed" by C. A. Bogardus
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In news:

The thinly sliced jalapeño served on top adds a bright, fresh heat that's delicious with the warm curry spices and sweet roasted cauliflower.
foodandwine.com
It's at times like these that Cali proves itself a godsend with its array of $2 sandwiches , each on a toasted French roll, dressed with a smear of mayo, pickled carrots, raw jalape?os, cool cucumber slices and a squirt of soy sauce.
houstonpress.com
Then toss those jalapeño cheese puffs and get ready for the annual Food and Wine Weekend, a foodie festival extraordinaire.
lovelycitizen.com
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Related words