sarsaparilla

views updated Jun 27 2018

sar·sa·pa·ril·la / ˌsärs(ə)pəˈrilə; ˌsaspə-/ • n. 1. a preparation of the dried rhizomes of various plants, esp. smilax, used to flavor some drinks and medicines and formerly as a tonic. ∎  a sweet drink flavored with this. 2. the tropical American climbing plant (genus Smilax) of the lily family from which these rhizomes are generally obtained, esp. S. regelii, which is the chief source of commercial sarsaparilla.

sarsaparilla

views updated May 29 2018

sarsaparilla Tropical perennial vine of the genus Smilax, native to Central and South America, whose roots are the source of a chemical used to give an aromatic flavour to medicines and drinks. The main species used are S. aristolochiaefolia, S. regelii, and S. febrifuga. Family Liliaceae.

sarsaparilla

views updated Jun 27 2018

sarsaparilla
1. Flavour prepared from oil of sassafras and oil of wintergreen or oil of sweet birch.

2. Roots of a South American plant (Smilax officinalis); both used to flavour the beverage called sarsparilla.

sarsaparilla

views updated May 09 2018

sarsaparilla (dried roots of) tropical Amer. smilax. XVI. — Sp. zarzaparrilia. f zarza bramble.

sarsaparilla

views updated May 14 2018

sarsaparilla See SMILAX.