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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

guaiacum

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

It cannot be stopped by bleeding, or sweating, or purging, by niter, by tartar emetic, by guaiacum, by alkalies, by salines, by salicylic acid, or by anything else.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 299, September 24, 1881 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

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 Charles Morris

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

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