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.

---

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

---

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

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

Copal, mastic, guaiacum, and colophony or pine resin, are some of them.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section R by Project Gutenberg

For phlegmatic constitutions nothing can be better than the decoction of guaiacum wood with a little disclaim, taken fasting in the morning, for twelve days consecutively, without producing sweating.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle

Or boil a pound of the fine raspings of guaiacum, with six gallons of sweetwort, till reduced to five; and when it is set to work, put in the above ingredients.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849