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noun Chemistry.
1.
Also called potash alum, potassium alum. a crystalline solid, aluminum potassium sulfate, K2SO4⋅Al2(SO4)3⋅24H2O, used in medicine as an astringent and styptic, in dyeing and tanning, and in many technical processes.
2.
one of a class of double sulfates analogous to the potassium alum, as aluminum ammonium sulfate, having the general formula R2SO4⋅X2(SO4)3⋅24H2O, where R is a univalent alkali metal or ammonium, and X one of a number of trivalent metals.
3.
(not in technical use) aluminum sulfate.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin alūmen; replacing Old English alefne, ælifnæ < Old Welsh (compare MWelsh elyf) < Latin alūmini- (stem of alūmen)
1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French < Latin alūmen; replacing Old English alefne, ælifnæ < Old Welsh (compare MWelsh elyf) < Latin alūmini- (stem of alūmen)
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Alum
is always a great word to know.
So is formaldehyde. Does it mean:
| a colorless, oily, water-soluble, highly toxic, liquid alkaloid, C10H14N2, found in tobacco and valued as an insecticide |
| a colorless, toxic, water-soluble gas having a suffocating odor, used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative, contained in resins and plastics |
Example Sentences
- One over-involved and misguided alum is not going to be a problem in the long-term, gone_south.
- Alum is added to reduce the paper's tendency to absorb liquid, which might lead to ink blots.
- The battery production energy is smaller than making alum or steel and the e motor is far less than a car motor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
alum.
Chemistry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To alum
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
alum
early 14c., "whitish mineral salt used as an astringent, dye, etc.," from O.Fr. alum, from L. alumen "alum," lit. "bitter salt," cognate with Gk. aludoimos "bitter" and Eng. ale.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
alum al·um (āl'əm)
n.
Any of various double sulfates of a trivalent metal such as aluminum or iron and a univalent metal such as potassium or sodium that are used as topical astringents and styptics.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
alum  (āl'əm) Pronunciation Key
Any of various crystalline double salts of a trivalent metal (such as aluminum, chromium, or iron) and a monovalent metal (such as potassium or sodium), especially aluminum potassium sulfate. Alum is widely used in industry as a hardener and purifier, and in medicine as an emetic and to stop bleeding. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
alum
|
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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