guaiacum

[ gwahy-uh-kuh m ]

/ ˈgwaɪ ə kəm /

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 of guaiacum

1525–35; < New Latin < Spanish guayaco, guayacán < Taino

guadeloupe, guadiana, guaguanche, guaiac, guaiacol, guaiacum, guaira, guajira, guam, guamanian, guan

I saie the pox, as by experience we se there is no better remedy than sweatyng and the drinkyng of guaiacum, etc.

A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II) |Charles Creighton
A substance having the nature of an acid, discovered by Trommsdorff in the wood and bark of Guaiacum officinale.

Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I |Arnold Cooley
This preparation is frequently substituted for guaiacum shavings in the preparation of compound decoction of sarsaparilla.

Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I |Arnold Cooley
The physician of the castle had prescribed constant doses of guaiacum taken in coffee.

Amenities of Literature |Isaac Disraeli

Guaiacum resin is given medicinally in doses of 5-15 grains.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 |Various

guaiacum

/ (ˈɡwaɪəkəm) /

any tropical American evergreen tree of the zygophyllaceous genus Guaiacum, such as the lignum vitae

the hard heavy wood of any of these trees

Also called: guaiac (ˈɡwaɪæk) a brownish resin obtained from the lignum vitae, used medicinally and in making varnishes

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