JALAP

Etymology 1

From the city of Xalapa in Mexico.

Noun

jalap (uncountable)

A cathartic drug consisting of the tuberous roots of Ipomoea purga, a convolvulaceous plant found in Mexico.

Etymology 2

Noun

jalap (plural jalaps)

(informal) A jalapeño.

Source: Wiktionary


Jal"ap, n. Etym: [F., fr. Sp. jalapa; -- so called from Jalapa, a town in Mexico, whence it was first obtained.] (Med.)

Definition: The tubers of the Mexican plant Ipomoea 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 Ipomoea 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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