slippery elm

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noun

an elm, Ulmus rubra, of eastern North America, having a mucilaginous inner bark.

the bark of this elm, used as a demulcent.

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Origin of slippery elm

First recorded in 1740–50

Words nearby slippery elm

slipperwort, slippery, slippery as an eel, slippery dick, slippery dip, slippery elm, slippery slope, slippy, slip-rail, slip ring, slip road

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use slippery elm in a sentence

Only starving people tried to make food from cattail seeds and the inner bark of slippery elm and willow trees.
Shaman|Robert Shea
The slippery elm said it would give of its bark to make the soothing healing drink.
Algonquin Indian Tales|Egerton R. Young
The red or slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) is found throughout a great extent of country in Canada, Missouri, and as far south as lat.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
Slippery elm bark, and spent bark from the tan works have also been suggested.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley

Slippery elm or "dragonroot" sticks for cleaning teeth can be got at chemists' shops as samples.
How Girls Can Help Their Country|Juliette Low

British Dictionary definitions for slippery elm

slippery elm

noun

a tree, Ulmus fulva, of E North America, having oblong serrated leaves, notched winged fruits, and a mucilaginous inner bark

the bark of this tree, used medicinally as a demulcent

Also called: red elm

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