gum arabic

noun

a water-soluble, gummy exudate obtained from the acacia tree, especially Acacia senegal, used as an emulsifier, an adhesive, in inks, and in pharmaceuticals.

gum arabic

a gum exuded by certain acacia trees, esp Acacia senegal: used in the manufacture of ink, food thickeners, pills, emulsifiers, etc Also calledacaciagum acacia

gum arabic

A gum exuded by various African trees of the genus Acacia, especially A. senegal. Gum arabic is used in the preparation of pills and emulsions, in the manufacture of adhesives and candies, and as a thickener and stabilizer of colloids. Gum arabic consists mostly of a mixture of oligosaccharides and heavy glycoproteins.

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Have ready some very clear and weak gum-arabic water, or some thin starch, or rice-water.

The flaps of the envelopes are sealed with wax beforehand and prepared with the best gum arabic, which is allowed to dry hard.

Dissolve five ounces of best white gum-arabic in twenty table-spoonfuls of water, and strain it.

I have known many able to take Gum Arabic, either solid or dissolved in water, and retain it, when nothing else could be borne.

Very fine bronze may be made into ink by adding water and gum arabic and shaking occasionally while writing.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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