gin·seng (j n s ng )n. 1. Any of several plants of the genus Panax, especially P. pseudoginseng of eastern Asia or P. quinquefolius of North America, having small greenish flowers grouped in umbels, palmately compound leaves, and forked roots believed to have medicinal properties. 2. The roots of these plants. [Chinese (Mandarin) rén sh  n : rén, man + shn, ginseng (perhaps from the forked shape of the root).] |   American ginseng plant, flower, and dried root |
ginseng [ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) either of two araliaceous plants, Panax schinseng of China or P. quinquefolius of North America, whose forked aromatic roots are used medicinally
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) the root of either of these plants or a substance obtained from the roots, believed to possess stimulant, tonic, and energy-giving properties
[from Mandarin Chinese jen shen, from jen man (from a resemblance of the roots to human legs) + shen ginseng]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  ginseng - aromatic root of ginseng plants nin-sin, Panax ginseng, Panax pseudoginseng, Panax schinseng, ginseng - Chinese herb with palmately compound leaves and small greenish flowers and forked aromatic roots believed to have medicinal powers American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, sang - North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng root - (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground |
| 2. |  ginseng - Chinese herb with palmately compound leaves and small greenish flowers and forked aromatic roots believed to have medicinal powersgenus Panax, Panax - perennial herbs of eastern North America and Asia having aromatic tuberous roots: ginseng ginseng - aromatic root of ginseng plants herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests |
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