guaiacum

[ gwahy-uh-kuhm ]

/ ˈgwaɪ ə kəm /

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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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of guaiacum

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

Words nearby guaiacum

Guadeloupe, Guadiana, guaguanche, guaiac, guaiacol, guaiacum, Guaira, guajira, Guam, Guamanian, guan

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

Word Origin for 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