ginger

== English == === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdʒɪndʒə/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈd͡ʒɪnd͡ʒɚ/ Rhymes: -ɪndʒə(ɹ) In the UK, the pronunciation /ˈɡɪŋə/ may be jokingly used in disparaging reference to (a person with) the hair colour; it is thus made to rhyme with minger. === Etymology 1 === Inherited from Middle English gingere, alteration of gingivere, from Old English gingifer, gingiber (influenced by Old French gingembre), from Medieval Latin gingiber, zingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Late Ancient Greek ζιγγίβερις (zingíberis), from Sauraseni Prakrit 𑀲𑀺𑀁𑀕𑀺𑀯𑁂𑀭 (siṃgivera), ultimately from Old Tamil 𑀇𑀜𑁆𑀘𑀺𑀯𑁂𑀭𑁆 (iñcivēr), a compound of 𑀇𑀜𑁆𑀘𑀺 (iñci, “ginger”) and 𑀯𑁂𑀭𑁆 (vēr, “root”) (compare modern Tamil இஞ்சிவேர் (iñcivēr), from இஞ்சி (iñci, “ginger”) + வேர் (vēr, “root”)). ==== Noun ==== ginger (countable and uncountable, plural gingers) The pungent aromatic rhizome of a tropical Asian herb, Zingiber officinale, used as a spice and as a stimulant and acarminative. The plant that produces this rhizome. Other species belonging to the same family, Zingiberaceae, especially those of the genus Zingiber A reddish-brown color. (colloquial, often derogatory, countable) A person with reddish hair; a redhead. (colloquial, uncountable) Vitality, vigour, liveliness (of character). (colloquial, countable and uncountable) Ginger ale, or can or bottle of such (especially if dry). (colloquial, Scotland, especially Glasgow, countable and uncountable) Any fizzy soft drink, or can or bottle of such; pop; soda. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Descendants ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Adjective ==== ginger (comparative more ginger or (rare) gingerer, superlative most ginger or (rare) gingerest) (of hair or fur) Of a reddish-brown color. Having hair or fur of this color. a ginger tomcat ===== Derived terms ===== ginger-haired Ginger Line gingervitis ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== ginger (third-person singular simple present gingers, present participle gingering, simple past and past participle gingered) (transitive) To add ginger to. (idiomatic, transitive) To enliven, to spice (up). (transitive) To apply ginger to the anus of a horse to encourage it to carry its tail high and move in a lively fashion. (Nigeria, transitive) To inspire (someone); to give a little boost to. ===== Derived terms ===== ginger up ===== Translations ===== ==== Related terms ==== galangal feague ==== See also ==== === Etymology 2 === Back-formation from gingerly (adverb). ==== Adjective ==== ginger (comparative more ginger or (rare) gingerer, superlative most ginger or (rare) gingerest) (chiefly British, regional, Canada, US) Very careful or cautious; also, delicate, sensitive. [from early 16th c.] Synonyms: gingerish, gingerly ===== Derived terms ===== gingerish gingerness (one etymology) ===== Related terms ===== gingerliness gingerly ==== Adverb ==== ginger (comparative more ginger, superlative most ginger) In a very careful or cautious manner; also, delicately, sensitively. Synonym: gingerly ==== Verb ==== ginger (third-person singular simple present gingers, present participle gingering, simple past and past participle gingered) To move gingerly, in a very careful and cautious manner. === Etymology 3 === Cockney rhyming slang: ginger beer, queer. ==== Noun ==== ginger (plural gingers) (UK, Cockney rhyming slang) A homosexual. ==== Adjective ==== ginger (not comparable) (UK, Cockney rhyming slang) Homosexual. === References === === Anagrams === Gering, erging, nigger == Nigerian Pidgin == === Etymology === From English ginger. === Noun === ginger ginger (plant and spice) excitement, motivation === Verb === ginger to motivate, to excite, to hype up