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 Ipom[oe]a 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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