[al-uh
m] 
| 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. |
[uh-luhm] | an alumna or alumnus. |
| aluminum. |
[uh-loo-muh-nuhm] | 1. | Chemistry. a silver-white metallic element, light in weight, ductile, malleable, and not readily corroded or tarnished, occurring combined in nature in igneous rock, shale, clay, and most soil: used in alloys and for lightweight utensils, castings, airplane parts, etc. Abbreviation: alum.; Symbol: Al; atomic weight: 26.98; atomic number: 13; specific gravity: 2.70 at 20°C. |
| 2. | of, pertaining to, or containing aluminum: an aluminum frying pan. |
[al-yuh-min-ik] , adjective | al·um 1 (āl'əm) n. Any of various double sulfates of a trivalent metal such as aluminum, chromium, or iron and a univalent metal such as potassium or sodium, especially hydrous aluminum potassium sulfate, AlK(SO4)2·12H2O, widely used in industry as clarifiers, hardeners, and purifiers and medicinally as topical astringents and styptics. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin alūmen.] |
| a·lum 2 (ə-lŭm') n. Informal An alumna or alumnus. |
"Aluminium, for so we shall take the liberty of writing the word, in preference to aluminum, which has a less classical sound." ["Quarterly Review," 1812]
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.
aluminum a·lu·mi·num (ə-l&oomacr;'mə-nəm)
n.
Symbol Al
A silvery-white, ductile metallic element, found chiefly in bauxite. A good conductor, it is used in light, corrosion-resistant alloys. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.98; melting point 660.3°C; boiling point 2,519°C; specific gravity 2.70; valence 3.
| 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. |
aluminum (ə-l 'mə-nəm) Pronunciation Key
Symbol Al A lightweight, silvery-white metallic element that is ductile, is found chiefly in bauxite, and is a good conductor of electricity. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and is used to make a wide variety of products from soda cans to airplane components. Atomic number 13; atomic weight 26.98; melting point 660.2°C (1,220.36°F); boiling point 2,467°C; specific gravity 2.69; valence 3. See Periodic Table. |
alum
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