water gum

noun

1. any of several Australian trees of the myrtle family, growing near water.

water gum

noun

1. any of several gum trees, esp Nyssa biflora (or tupelo ), of swampy areas of North America: family Nyssaceae

2. any of several Australian myrtaceous trees, esp Tristania laurina, of swampy ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of water gum¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Yet he has not given us so much as one reason why it is not practicable in the case before us; but has gone on to speak of barley water, gum arabic water, rice water, arrowroot, &c.

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The clove contains about 20 per cent. of volatile aromatic oil, to which it owes its peculiar pungent flavour, its other parts being composed of woody fibre, water, gum, and resin.

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