Jalap JAL'AP, n. The root of a plant, a species of Convolvulus. It
is brought in thin transverse slices, and also whole, of an oval shape,
hard, solid and heavy. It has little or no taste or smell, but is much
used in powder as a cathartic.
jalap nounEtymology: French & Spanish; French jalap, from Spanish
jalapa, from Jalapa, Mexico Date: 1644 1.a. the dried tuberous root of a Mexican plant (Ipomoea purga
syn. Exogonium purga) of the morning-glory family; also a
powdered purgative drug prepared from it that contains resinous glycosides
b. the root or derived drug of plants related to the one supplying
jalap
2. a plant yielding jalap
jalap n. a purgative drug obtained esp. from the tuberous roots of a Mexican climbing plant, Exogonium purga. Etymology: F f. Sp. jalapa f. Jalapa, Xalapa, city in Mexico, f. Aztec
Xalapan sand by the water
jalap
ˈdʒæləp n. a purgative drug obtained esp. from the tuberous roots
of a Mexican climbing plant, Exogonium purga. [F f. Sp. jalapa f. Jalapa,
Xalapa, city in Mexico, f. Aztec Xalapan sand by the water]
Jalap \Jal"ap\, n. [F., fr. Sp. jalapa; -- so called from
Jalapa, a town in Mexico, whence it was first obtained.]
(Med.)
The tubers of the Mexican plant Ipom[oe]a purga (or
Exogonium purga), a climber much like the morning-glory.
The abstract, extract, and powder, prepared from the tubers,
are well known purgative medicines. Other species of
Ipom[oe]a yield several inferior kinds of jalap, as the I.
Orizabensis}, and I. tuberosa.
False jalap, the root of Mirabilis Jalapa, four-o'clock,
or marvel of Peru.
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