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guaiacum

[gwahy-uh-kuhm]

Lignum Vitae www.transforesta.com/ (Guaiacum sanctum) Genuine Lignum Vitae bearings

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noun

any of several tropical American trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Guaiacum of the caltrop family; lignum vitae.

the hard, heavy wood of such a tree; guaiac.

resin obtained from such a tree; guaiac.

Origin:
1525–35; < Neo-Latin < Spanish guayaco, guayacán < Taino

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Guaiacum is always a great word to know.

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a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

guaiacum or guaiocum (ˈɡwaɪəkəm)

—n
1.	any tropical American evergreen tree of the zygophyllaceous genus Guaiacum, such as the lignum vitae
2.	the hard heavy wood of any of these trees
3.	Also called: guaiac a brownish resin obtained from the lignum vitae, used medicinally and in making varnishes

[C16: New Latin, from Spanish guayaco, of Taino origin]

guaiocum or guaiocum (ˈɡwaɪəkəm, ˈɡwaɪæk)

—n

[C16: New Latin, from Spanish guayaco, of Taino origin]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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guaiacum

guai·a·cum