tragacanth

(tragə kant̸h′)

noun

  1. a white or reddish, tasteless and odorless gum, used in pharmacy, calico printing, etc.
  2. any of various, esp. Asiatic, plants (genus Astragalus) of the pea family, yielding this gum

Origin: Fr tragacanthe < L tragacantha < Gr tragakantha < tragos, goat (see tragedy) + akantha, thorn (see acantho-)

See tragacanth in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Any of various thorny shrubs of the genus Astragalus, especially A. gummifer, of the Middle East, yielding a gum used in pharmacy, adhesives, and textile printing.
  2. The gum of this plant.

Origin:

Origin: Latin tragacantha

Origin: , from Greek tragakantha

Origin: : tragos, goat

Origin: + akantha, thorn

.

Learn more about tragacanth

link/cite print suggestion box