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Glite Dictionary
false sarsaparilla

false sarsaparilla

9.6
A common plant with fragrant roots used instead of sarsaparilla
  • noun
  • /fɔls ˌsɑːrspəˈrɪlə/
  • US
translation icon : falsa zarzaparrilla
  • The roots of false sarsaparilla have a pleasant aroma, often compared to true sarsaparilla.

Examples

  • Many herbalists recommend false sarsaparilla as an alternative to imported sarsaparilla.

  • Native Americans traditionally used false sarsaparilla in teas as a natural remedy.

  • The herbalist recommended false sarsaparilla for its many health benefits.

  • Many people use false sarsaparilla as a natural remedy.

  • Many herbalists recommend false sarsaparilla as an alternative to imported sarsaparilla.

  • Native Americans traditionally used false sarsaparilla in teas as a natural remedy.

  • The roots of false sarsaparilla have a pleasant aroma, often compared to true sarsaparilla.

Synonyms

wild sarsaparilla
vsfalse sarsaparilla
  • US
8.8

A North American wild plant with sweet-smelling roots used for drinks and medicine

is the more common, widely found herb serving that substitute role
wild sarsparilla
vsfalse sarsaparilla
  • US
9.9

A North American plant whose fragrant roots flavor drinks

is the standard spelling used for the common herb
Aralia nudicaulis
vsfalse sarsaparilla
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that lives many years with scented roots used like sarsaparilla

is described as the commonly used herb rather than one used only sometimes

Surface Forms

false sarsaparilla singular
false sarsaparillas plural

Morphology

false + sarsaparilla

The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'false' (imitation/substitute) modifying 'sarsaparilla' (the plant), so the meaning 'an imitation or substitute for sarsaparilla' is directly derivable from the parts. The pattern 'false + noun' is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

False sarsaparilla comes from people noticing it looked and smelled like true sarsaparilla but was 'not the same'. Because settlers and herbalists used it as a 'substitute' for imported sarsaparilla, the name stuck and now refers to a local plant used like the real one.