Dictionary.com

jalap

[ jal-uhp, jah-luhp ]
/ ˈdʒæl əp, ˈdʒɑ ləp /
Save This Word!

noun
the dried tuberous root of any of several plants, especially Exogonium purga, of the morning glory family, or the light yellowish powder derived from it, used in medicine chiefly as a purgative.
any of these plants.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of jalap

1665–75; <Middle French <Spanish (purga de) Jalapa purgative from Jalapa

OTHER WORDS FROM jalap

ja·lap·ic [ja-lap-ik, jah-], /dʒæˈlæp ɪk, dʒɑ-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jalap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jalap

jalap

jalop

/ (ˈdʒæləp) /

noun
a Mexican convolvulaceous plant, Exogonium (or Ipomoea) purga
any of several similar or related plants
the dried and powdered root of any of these plants, used as a purgative
the resin obtained from any of these plants

Derived forms of jalap

jalapic (dʒəˈlæpɪk), adjective

Word Origin for jalap

C17: from French, from Mexican Spanish jalapa, short for purga de Jalapa purgative of Jalapa
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK