tragacanth

[ trag-uh-kanth, traj- ]

noun

1. a gummy substance derived from various low, spiny, Asian shrubs belonging to the genus Astragalus, of the legume family, especially A. gummifer: used to impart firmness to pills and lozenges, stiffen calicoes, etc.

tragacanth

/ ˈtræɡəˌkænθ /

noun

1. any of various spiny leguminous plants of the genus Astragalus , esp A. gummifer , of Asia, having clusters of white, yellow, or purple flowers, and yielding a substance that is made into a gum
2. the gum obtained from any of these plants, used in the manufacture of pills and lozenges, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragacanth¹

1565–75; < Latin tragacantha goat's thorn < Greek tragákantha, equivalent to trág ( os ) goat + ákantha thorn. tragedy, acantho-

Word History and Origins

Origin of tragacanth¹

C16: from French tragacante , from Latin tragacantha goat's thorn, from Greek tragakantha , from tragos goat + akantha thorn

Example Sentences

For attaching it to the paper a strong mucilage of gum tragacanth, containing an eighth of its weight of spirit of wine, answers best.

From Project Gutenberg

Large surfaces left plain are also washed with gum tragacanth, because this sizing leaves no lines behind.

From Project Gutenberg

Mounting on Points.—Most insects which are too small to be pinned on a No. 2 pin may be fastened to cardboard by means of gum tragacanth, gum shellac, or any good glue.

From Project Gutenberg

A constituent part of a species of gum from Bassora, as also of gum tragacanth and some gum resins.

From Project Gutenberg

A. gummifer and some other similar species of Western Asia, low, spiny shrubs, yield the gum tragacanth of commerce.

From Project Gutenberg