water gum

American  

noun

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

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water gum British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of water gum

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

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.

From The Book of Household Management by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)