turpifyt (terpifi)

t. [ IMG:content-1114.jpg:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1115.png:[blocks in formation] Turpinia (ter-pin'i-ä), n. [NL. (Ventenat, turret1 (tur'et), n. [ turet , toret , 1803), named after P. J. F. Turpin, a French naturalist and artist (1775-1840).] A genus of polypetalous plants, of the order Staphyleaceæ. It is characterized by a three-lobed ovary indehiscent in fruit. The 8 species are natives of Asia and America, especially in China, India, and the West Indies. They are smooth trees or shrubs with terete branchlets bearing opposite leaves, usually composed of opposite serrulate leaflets. The small white flowers form terminal and axillary spreading panicles. Some species produce an edible drupaceous fruit. T. occidental is, a tree from 20 to 30 feet high, is known as ca ava - wood or coromantee drum wood in Jamaica. (See drum wood.) T. pomifera of India and China, the toukshama of Burma, a very variable species from 12 to 40 feet high, in its typical state bears a fleshy, smooth, and roundish yellow, green, or reddish drupe, sometimes 2 inches in diameter. turpis causa (tėr'pis ka'zä). [L.: turpis, base, vile; causa, cause, reason: 1: see cause.] In Scots law, a base or vile consideration on which no action can be founded. This would be called in English law a consideration contra bonos mores, or against public policy.