See Also: sarsaparilla(medicine)
sarsaparilla(dictionary)
sarsaparilla(encyclopedia)
sarsaparilla(dictionary)

sarsaparilla (iou)



sarsaparilla noun. L16.
[Spanish zarzaparilla, from zarza bramble + dim. of Spanish parra vine, twining plant.]
Any of several tropical American kinds of smilax used medicinally, esp. Smilax ornata (in full Jamaica sarsaparilla) and S. regelii (in full Honduras sarsaparilla); the dried root of such a plant, used to treat rheumatism, skin complaints, and formerly also syphilis. Also, a carbonated drink flavoured with this root. L16.
Any of several plants of other genera which resemble sarsaparilla or have a root used similarly. Chiefly with specifying word. M19.
Indian sarsaparilla an Indo-Malayan asclepiad, Hemidesmus indicus. wild sarsaparilla a N. American plant, Aralia nudicaulis (family Araliaceae).