Zēd'o-a-ry, n.

n. [Fr. zédoaire, Pr. zeduari, It. zedoaria, zettovario, Sp. & Pg. zedoaria, zodoaria, N. Lat. amomum zedoaria, Ger. zitwer, O. H. Ger. zitawar, Ar., Per., & Hind. djadwâr.] (Med.) A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste, used in medicine as a stimulant.

☞ It is the root of a species of Cucuma, and comes in short, firm pieces, externally of a wrinkled, gray, ash-colored appearance, but within of a brownish-red color. There are two kinds: round zedoary, said to be the root of Cucuma zerumbet, or Kæmpferia rotunda, and long zedoary, of Cucuma zedoaria. Dunglison.