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tragacanth Definition

traga·canth (trag′ə 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

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

tragacanth Usage Examples

Noun used with modifier

gum: The printed emulsion surface is water absorbent and ideal for gum tragacanth which leaves less of a smear than most adhesives.