gamboge

American  

[gam-bohj, -boozh] / gæmˈboʊdʒ, -ˈbuʒ /

noun

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

2. yellow or yellow-orange.

---

gamboge British  

/ -ˈbuːʒ, ɡæmˈbəʊdʒ /

noun

1. 1. a gum resin used as the source of a yellow pigment and as a purgative

   2. the pigment made from this resin

2. any of several tropical Asian trees of the genus Garcinia, esp G. hanburyi, that yield this resin: family Clusiaceae

3. a strong yellow colour

---

Other Word Forms

• gambogian adjective

Etymology

Origin of gamboge

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

Example Sentences

In a palette of chartreuse, ocher, cinnamon and gamboge, Ito overlaid uncommon shapes, such as a rectangle rounded and pinched at the top like a loaf of Wonder Bread, into compositions of preternatural calm.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2018

Heliotrope, gamboge, umber: the names of colours are as luscious as the hues themselves.

From Nature • Nov. 15, 2016

And in case Esther isn't enough, there is a herd of elephants painted blue, green, yellow, lavender and gamboge.

From Time Magazine Archive

It's then that you will see the Gremlins Green and gamboge and gold Male and female and neuter Gremlins both young and old.

From Time Magazine Archive

Say none, sir, and you will be nearer the mark; but, remember, I seek no converts; I ask nobody to deny himself the luxuries of senna and gamboge because I prefer beef and mutton.

From Barrington Volume I (of II) by Lever, Charles James