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Definition of "gum arabic" []

  • A gum exuded by various African trees of the genus Acacia, especially A. senegal, used in the preparation of pills and emulsions and the manufacture of mucilage and candies and in general as a thickener and colloidal stabilizer. Also called acacia. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "gum arabic" in a sentence
  • "The gum of the wild-cherry tree is equal to the gum arabic obtained in the shops, and may be used in all cases which call for the arabic gum."
  • "This evening I was at Mrs. Dortch's when Willie came along and called me saying "here is Pa," I thought I heard him and ran out to the gate, when I reached there and asked Willie what he said, he answered "Only that I had some gum arabic for you.""
  • "Page 189 for worms, hives, diseases of the skin, fevers, &c. -- The gum of this tree will answer all the purposes for which gum arabic is used; it forms one of the best injections now in use for dysentary or flux."