turpeth

1 definition found

turpeth - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Turpeth \Tur"peth\, n. [NL. turpethum, fr. Per. tirbid a
     cathartic, turbad a purgative root. Cf. Turbith.] [Written
     also turbeth, and turbith.]
     1. (Bot.) The root of Ipom[oe]a Turpethum, a plant of
        Ceylon, Malabar, and Australia, formerly used in medicine
        as a purgative; -- sometimes called vegetable turpeth.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Chem.) A heavy yellow powder, Hg3O2SO4, which consists
        of a basic mercuric sulphate; -- called also turpeth  mineral
        .
        [1913 Webster]