gum ammoniac

American  

noun

1. a brownish-yellow gum resin, having an acrid taste, occurring in tearlike fragments from a plant, Dorema ammoniacum, of western Asia: used in porcelain ceramics and in medicine as an expectorant and counterirritant.

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gum ammoniac British  

noun

1. another name for ammoniac 2

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Etymology

Origin of gum ammoniac

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Squill, scilla maritima, garlic, leek, onion, allium, asafœtida, ferula asafœtida, gum ammoniac, benzoin, tar, pix liquida, balsam of Tolu.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus

This gum is used for similar purposes as gum ammoniac and assafœtida.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

For the space of a month I tried to relieve him by fixed alkaly, seneka, Dover's powder, gum ammoniac, squill, &c. but without effect.

From An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses With Practical Remarks on Dropsy and Other Diseases by Withering, William

The 44 pounds of gum ammoniac was reported "damaged," and the 86 pounds of rhubarb was described as "bad."

From Drug Supplies in the American Revolution by Griffenhagen, George B.

Calomel, gum ammoniac, tincture of cantharides, &c. having been given in vain, I ordered two grains of pulv. fol.

From An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses With Practical Remarks on Dropsy and Other Diseases by Withering, William