guaiacum

American  

[gwahy-uh-kuhm] / ˈgwaɪ ə kəm /

noun

1. any of several tropical American trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Guaiacum of the caltrop family; lignum vitae.

2. the hard, heavy wood of such a tree; guaiac.

3. resin obtained from such a tree; guaiac.

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guaiacum British  

/ ˈɡwaɪəkəm /

noun

1. any tropical American evergreen tree of the zygophyllaceous genus Guaiacum, such as the lignum vitae

2. the hard heavy wood of any of these trees

3. Also called: guaiac.  a brownish resin obtained from the lignum vitae, used medicinally and in making varnishes

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Etymology

Origin of guaiacum

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

Example Sentences

Compound powder of ipecacuanha, ten grains; powdered guaiacum, four grains: in a powder at bedtime.

From Enquire Within Upon Everything The Great Victorian Domestic Standby by Anonymous

In the muscular pains, however, which torment the patient during convalescence, the ammoniated tincture of guaiacum was found of service.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

A decoction of 1 ℔ of guaiacum was held to be sufficient for the four first days of the treatment.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

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

A resin, called gum guaiacum, exudes from the stem, and is otherwise obtained from the wood by artificial means.

From Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture by Saunders, William