galingale

noun

gal·​in·​gale ˈga-lən-ˌgāl How to pronounce galingale (audio)
-liŋ-
1
: an Old World sedge (Cyperus longus)
broadly : any of various other sedges of the same genus
2

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, galangal; sedges of the genus Cyperus so called from their aromatic rhizomes

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of galingale was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near galingale

Cite this Entry

“Galingale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galingale. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!