guaiacum

[ gwahy-uh-kuhm ]

noun

any of several tropical American trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Guaiacum of the caltrop family; lignum vitae.
the hard, heavy wood of such a tree; guaiac.

resin obtained from such a tree; guaiac.

Origin of guaiacum

First recorded in 1525–35; from New Latin, from Spanish guayaco, guayacán, from Taíno

Words Nearby guaiacum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use guaiacum in a sentence

It is found by experience to bee farre better and of more vses then the wood which is called guaiacum, or Lignum vit.
A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land Of Virginia, 1590 | Thomas Hariot
To produce sweating, employ cardus water, and mithridate, or a decoction of guaiacum and sarsaparilla.
The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher | Anonymous
I saie the pox, as by experience we se there is no better remedy than sweatyng and the drinkyng of guaiacum, etc.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II) | Charles Creighton
The same is the ease on the 31st and 32nd leaves, which treat of filthie and putrefied ulcers, guaiacum being again prescribed.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II) | Charles Creighton
Here grow the jalap and the guaiacum, the sweet-scented sassafras and the sanitary copaiba.
The Rifle Rangers | Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for guaiacum

guaiacum

guaiocum

/ (ˈɡwaɪəkəm) /

noun

any tropical American evergreen tree of the zygophyllaceous genus Guaiacum, such as the lignum vitae
the hard heavy wood of any of these trees

Also called: guaiac (ˈɡwaɪæk) a brownish resin obtained from the lignum vitae, used medicinally and in making varnishes

Origin of guaiacum

C16: New Latin, from Spanish guayaco, of Taino origin

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

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