China-Root
/ˈtʃaɪ.nə ˌruːt/noun
The medicinal root or rhizome of certain Smilax plants, especially Smilax china, traditionally imported from China.
Did you know?In early modern Europe, China-root became fashionable as a supposed treatment for illnesses including syphilis, reflecting the era’s fascination with powerful medicines arriving from distant lands.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wréh₂d-
“Root; the underground part of a plant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥίζα (rhíza)
“Root; the source of the botanical term rhizome”
Classical Latin
Latin
rādīx
“Root; foundation or source”
Middle Chinese / Persian transmission
Chinese/Persian
秦 (Qín) / Čīn
“Qin; the name associated with China in western languages”
16th Century
English
China root
“A medicinal root imported from China, generally referring to Smilax species”
Modern English
English
China-root
“The dried medicinal root or rhizome of Smilax china and related plants”