gamboge

[gam-bohj, -boozh]

noun

Also cambogia. a gum resin from various Asian trees of the genus Garcinia, especially G. hanburyi, used as a yellow pigment and as a cathartic.
yellow or yellow-orange.

Origin of gamboge

1625–35; < New Latin gambog- (stem of gambogium), variant of cambog-, after Cambodia

Related formsgam·bo·gi·an, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for gamboge

Historical Examples of gamboge

Gamboge is of a gum-resinous nature and clear yellow colour.
Field's Chromatography
George Field
Perhaps in dyeing, the lead and gamboge solutions might be worth a trial.
Field's Chromatography
George Field
The coat of gamboge is lastly to be applied in the same way.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines
Andrew Ure
The sun which had neared the horizon was dying in throes of crimson and gamboge.
Mr. Incoul's Misadventure
Edgar Saltus
Buildings are sometimes tinted with a mixture of lake and gamboge.
Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million
Sarah Josepha Hale

British Dictionary definitions for gamboge

gamboge

noun

1. a gum resin used as the source of a yellow pigment and as a purgative
2. the pigment made from this resin
gamboge tree any of several tropical Asian trees of the genus Garcinia, esp G. hanburyi, that yield this resin: family Clusiaceae
a strong yellow colour

Also called (for senses 1, 2): cambogia

Derived Formsgambogian, adjective

Word Origin for gamboge

C18: from New Latin gambaugium, from Cambodia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012