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.
Minute instructions are given in old works as to the mode of administering guaiacum.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various
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
To produce sweating, employ cardus water, and mithridate, or a decoction of guaiacum and sarsaparilla.
To color Pomatum.—Yellow, by palm oil or annatto; red, by alkanet root; and green, by guaiacum, or the green leaves of parsley.
From The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness A Complete Hand Book for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society by Florence Hartley
How to Cure Pimples.—Take a teaspoonful of the tincture of gum guaiacum and one teaspoonful of vinegar; mix well and apply to the affected parts.
From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Barkham Burroughs
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.
