guaiacum
Americannoun
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any of several tropical American trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Guaiacum of the caltrop family; lignum vitae.
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the hard, heavy wood of such a tree; guaiac.
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resin obtained from such a tree; guaiac.
noun
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any tropical American evergreen tree of the zygophyllaceous genus Guaiacum, such as the lignum vitae
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the hard heavy wood of any of these trees
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Also called: guaiac. a brownish resin obtained from the lignum vitae, used medicinally and in making varnishes
Etymology
Origin of guaiacum
First recorded in 1525–35; from New Latin, from Spanish guayaco, guayacán, from Taíno
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lignum Vitæ, guaiacum, or pack wood, as it is sometimes called, is another beautiful forest tree of Antigua.
From Antigua and the Antiguans, Volume II (of 2) A full account of the colony and its inhabitants from the time of the Caribs to the present day by Anonymous
The tincture of guaiacum is universally used as a test for the presence of blood, or rather of haemoglobin, the red colouring matter of the blood, in urine or other secretions.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various
As an alterative and deobstruent, it has been found useful in leprosy and itch, when combined with antimonials and guaiacum, and in enlargement of the liver and glandular affections.
From Enquire Within Upon Everything The Great Victorian Domestic Standby by Anonymous
The mammee, guaiacum, and copal, besides other trees and shrubs valuable for their gum, flourish in all parts of the island.
From The Greater Republic A History of the United States by Morris, Charles
More benefit, however, appears to be derived from potassium iodide, guaiacum, the alkalis potash and lithia, and from the administration of aspirin and sodium salicylate.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
