slippery elm

American  

noun

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

2. the bark of this elm, used as a demulcent.

---

slippery elm British  

noun

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

2. the bark of this tree, used medicinally as a demulcent

---

Etymology

Origin of slippery elm

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

slippery elm

Whether or not they actually suggested it, the “black ball” recipe contains dried raisins and figs, olive oil, charcoal, glycerin, senna and slippery elm.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2023

During one such illness, while she was managing a program aimed at reducing psychiatric hospital recidivism, she tried treating herself with herbs – elderberry root and slippery elm – instead of visiting a doctor.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 6, 2018

The abortionist—a woman on the outskirts of Tampa, Florida—stuffed her uterus with slippery elm bark and told her not to come back.

From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2018

Nature writer Rutherford Platt, writing in the 1940s, said the best way to distinguish a slippery elm from an American elm is by the winter buds — the trees look too similar in growth.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 16, 2016

Huddled down in the water between the ferns and moss, I scrubbed myself with the bark of the slippery elm.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George