algum

[ al-guhm, awl- ]

noun

1. a tree mentioned in the Bible, possibly the red sandalwood. Compare almug.

Word History and Origins

Origin of algum¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Hebrew algūmīm (plural), variant of almuggīm

Example Sentences

Not so the algum-tree, at least if interpreters are right in taking algum or almug for sandalwood.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Second of Chronicles, chapter 9, verses 10 and 11, we find the following: “And the servants also of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones, and the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the lord and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for the singers, and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.”

From Project Gutenberg

No Jewish lexicon tells us of almug or algum trees; no Hebrew writer undertakes to describe them.

From Project Gutenberg

Here we have Solomon’s algum tree with the name scarcely modified.

From Project Gutenberg

His galley was built of burnished teak, the lining of its cabin was of sandalwood,—algum wood your Koran calls it,—and the turret in its stern was covered with plates of solid gold.

From Project Gutenberg