Definition of: ginger

(jin′jər) noun
1. The pungent, spicy root-stock of a tropical plant (Zingiber officinale), either whole or pulverized: used in medicine and cookery. With the outer covering scraped off, the rootstock is called white ginger, and is regarded as superior to the East Indian or black ginger, in which the covering is not removed.
2. The plant itself.
3. A tawny, sandy, or reddish–brown color.
4. Colloq. Something of pungent quality; liveliness; spunk.
—v.t.
1. To treat or spice with ginger.
2. Colloq. To make lively or piquant; enliven: often with up. [OE gingifer <LL gingiber <Gk. zingiberis, ult. <Skt.]