sarsaparilla
pronunciation
How to pronounce sarsaparilla in British English:
UK [ˌsɑ:spəˈrɪlə]
How to pronounce sarsaparilla in American English:
US [ˌsɑrspəˈrɪlə]
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- Noun:
- any of various prickly climbing plants of the tropical American genus Smilax having aromatic roots and heart-shaped leaves
- carbonated drink flavored with an extract from sarsaparilla root or with birch oil and sassafras
Word Origin
- sarsaparilla (n.)
- tropical American plant, 1570s, from Spanish zarzaparrilla, from zarza "bramble" (from Arabic sharas "thorny plant" or Basque sartzia "bramble") + parrilla, diminutive of parra "vine," which is of unknown origin. Hence, also, "a medicinal preparation of sarsaparilla" (1570s). In 16c.-17c. the dried roots were held to be efficient in treatment of syphilis.
Example
- 1. Carbonated drink flavored with an extract from sarsaparilla root or with birch oil and sassafras .
- 2. I don 't suppose you have any sarsaparilla ?
- 3. Common perennial herb having aromatic roots used as a substitute for sarsaparilla ; central and eastern north america .
- 4. He used flavorings from trees and plants like sassafras and sarsaparilla , wintergreen , birch bark , herbs and juniper berries .
- 5. Inside , all was just as it had always been , except there was more coca cola and not so much moxie and root beer and birch beer and sarsaparilla .