spirit gum

American  

noun

1. a glue used in fastening false hair, as a beard or mustache, to an actor's skin.

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spirit gum British  

noun

1. a glue made from gum dissolved in ether used to stick a false beard, etc, onto the face

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Etymology

Origin of spirit gum

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall partner well as co-stars, but the many distinct personas they brought to life with the help of layered prosthetics, spirit gum and wigs ended up being most of the show.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2021

When I get my hair cut, I keep the clippings and chop them down very fine, and use a costume adhesive called spirit gum to attach it to my face.

From The Guardian • Feb. 24, 2018

His novel Antic Hay describes a postwar nebbish, “melancholy and all too mild,” who transforms himself with shoulder pads, a sturdy cane, and a fan-shaped beard applied with spirit gum.

From Slate • Dec. 3, 2014

In the film’s opening scene, Bale’s Irv is gingerly applying spirit gum, trying to stick a not-exactly-top-quality toupee to his head.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2013

He had climbed up the rope rigging of the balloon to mend a small hole with a piece of rubber and some spirit gum.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood