- either of two plants (genus Alpinia) of the ginger family, whose dried rhizomes yield aromatic substances used in medicines and flavorings
- any of various plants (genus Cyperus) of the sedge family, some of which have aromatic rootstocks
Origin of galangalMiddle English galingale ; from Old French galingal ; from Medieval Latin galingala ; from Arabic khulung?n, ultimately ; from uncertain or unknown; perhaps Chinese
- Either of two plants (Alpinia galanga or A. officinarum) of eastern Asia, having pungent, aromatic rhizomes used medicinally and as seasoning.
- The dried roots of either of these plants. In both senses also called galingale.
Origin of galangalMiddle English galingale, from Old French galingal, garingal, from Medieval Latin galinga, galanga, from Arabic &hlowbrev;alunjan, &hlowbrev;&umacron;lunjan, from Persian &hlowbrev;&umacron;lanjan; probably akin to Sanskrit kulañja&hlowdot;, kulañjana&hlowdot;, galangal (A. galanga).
- Any of several east Asian plants of the ginger family, used as a spice, but principally Alpinia galanga.