SARSAPARILLA Definition & Meaning

sarsaparilla

[ sas-puh-ril-uh, sahr-suh-puh-, sahr-spuh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of various climbing or trailing tropical American plants belonging to the genus Smilax, of the lily family, having alternate leaves, umbels of flowers, and a root that has been used in the treatment of psoriasis.
the root.
an extract or other preparation made of this root.
a soft drink flavored with an extract of this root, as root beer.

sarsaparilla

/ ˌsɑːsəpəˈrɪlə; ˌsɑːspə- /

noun

any of various prickly climbing plants of the tropical American genus Smilax having large aromatic roots and heart-shaped leaves: family Smilacaceae
the dried roots of any of these plants, formerly used as a medicine
a nonalcoholic drink prepared from these roots
any of various plants resembling true sarsaparilla, esp the araliaceous plant Aralia nudicaulis ( wild sarsaparilla ), of North America

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of sarsaparilla¹

1570–80; < Spanish zarzaparrilla, equivalent to zarza bush + parrilla ( parr ( a ) vine + -illa diminutive suffix)

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of sarsaparilla¹

C16: from Spanish zarzaparrilla, from zarza a bramble, (from Arabic š�� ) + -parrilla, from Spanish parra a climbing plant

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Example Sentences

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Music, food, and kid-friendly activities like gold panning and drinking sarsaparilla in the saloon bring local history and culture to life.

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Because in the bottle was the favored beverage of the health-conscious in the 19th century: sarsaparilla.

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This healing tea consists of sarsaparilla root, ginger, licorice root, cinnamon, burdock root, juniper berry, black pepper, dandelion root, clove oil and cinnamon bark oil.

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Offering superb value for the price point, imbibers can expect a bright, fruity, balanced Zin with mint, sarsaparilla and fresh plum notes and deeply layered tannins.

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The sarsaparilla flavor in root beer lends the meat a woodsy mintiness, which sings when it’s paired with aromatics like bay leaves and shallots.

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