sarsaparilla

/ˌsæspəˈrɪlə/
noun
  1. A sweet, fizzy drink flavored with the root of a tropical plant, popular in the past as a soft drink.
    • Some people say sarsaparilla tastes similar to root beer but with a milder flavor.
    • The carnival stand sold root beer and sarsaparilla in glass bottles.
    • My grandfather used to order sarsaparilla at the old-fashioned soda fountain.
  2. The tropical American plant whose roots are used to make flavoring and traditional medicine.
    • Herbalists once used sarsaparilla root to treat skin conditions.
    • The plant's scientific name is Smilax, and true sarsaparilla comes from several species.
    • Sarsaparilla is a climbing vine native to Central and South America.
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