Turpeth

Tur"peth (?), n. [NL. turpethum, fr. Per. tirbid a cathartic, turbad a purgative root. Cf. Turbith.] [Written also turbeth, and turbith.]

1. Bot.

The root of Ipomœa Turpethum, a plant of Ceylon, Malabar, and Australia, formerly used in medicine as a purgative; -- sometimes called vegetable turpeth.

2. Chem.

A heavy yellow powder, Hg₃O₂SO₄, which consists of a basic mercuric sulphate; -- called also turpeth mineral.

© Webster 1913.