'vegetable turpeth' definitions:

Definition of 'vegetable turpeth'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]