gambier Hear it!

gambier definition

gam·bier or gambir gam′·bir′ (gam′bir)

noun

an astringent substance extracted from various S Asian plants (genus Uncaria) of the madder family, chewed with the betel nut: used in tanning and dyeing and, formerly, in medicine

Etymology: Malay gambir

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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