ginger

Meanings

Noun

• The pungent aromatic rhizome of a tropical Asian herb, Zingiber officinale, used as a spice and as a stimulant and acarminative.
• The plant that produces this rhizome.
• Other species belonging to the same family, Zingiberaceae, especially those of the genus Zingiber
• A reddish-brown color.
• A person with reddish-brown hair; a redhead.
• Vitality, vigour, liveliness (of character).
• Ginger ale, or can or bottle of such (especially if dry).
• Any soft fizzy drink, or can or bottle of such; pop; soda.
• A homosexual.

Adjective

• Of a reddish-brown colour.
• Very careful or cautious; also, delicate, sensitive.
• Homosexual.

Verb

• To add ginger to.
• To enliven, to spice (up).
• To apply ginger to the anus of a horse to encourage it to carry its tail high and move in a lively fashion.
• To inspire (someone); to give a little boost to.
• To move gingerly, in a very careful and cautious manner.

Adverb

• In a very careful or cautious manner; also, delicately, sensitively.

Origin

• From Middle English gingere, alteration of gingivere, from Old English gingifer, gingiber (influenced by Old French gingembre), from Medieval Latin gingiber, zingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Late Ancient Greek ζιγγίβερις, from Sauraseni Prakrit 𑀲𑀺𑀁𑀕𑀺𑀯𑁂𑀭, from Sanskrit शृङ्गवेर (influenced by शृङ्ग), ultimately from Proto-Dravidian *cinki-wēr.
• Cockney rhyming slang: ginger beer, queer.