white gum

American  

noun

1. any of various Australian eucalyptuses having a whitish bark.

---

white gum British  

noun

1. any of various Australian eucalyptus trees with whitish bark

---

Etymology

Origin of white gum

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Example Sentences

His upper lip curled back to reveal the white gum shield protecting a mouth sneering with contempt, Muhammad Ali stands over the prone body of Sonny Liston.

From The Guardian • Oct. 23, 2015

The soil on Emu Plains was far superior to any we had seen since leaving the boat, and was lightly and picturesquely timbered with the white gum.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2 Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits To the Islands in the Arafura Sea by Stokes, John Lort

Between the two townships a park has been reserved, though not yet enclosed; the timber in it, which is large—consisting principally of white gum and stringy bark—is not allowed to be cut or injured.

From A Lady's Visit to the Gold Diggings of Australia in 1852-53 by Clacy, Ellen

They were set solidly into a hard white gum, which had to be cut away all around them before they would come out.

From The Cruise of the Cachalot Round the World After Sperm Whales by Bullen, Frank T.

We'll get round beyond that white gum and plant the swags.

From Colonial Born A tale of the Queensland bush by Spence, Percy F. S. (Percy Frederick Seaton)