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tragacanth

noun
trag·​a·​canth | \ ˈtra-jÉ™-ËŒkan(t)th How to pronounce tragacanth (audio) , ˈtra-gÉ™-, -kÉ™n(t)th; also ˈtra-gÉ™-ËŒsan(t)th How to pronounce tragacanth (audio) \

Definition of tragacanth

: a gum obtained from various Asian or eastern European plants (genus Astragalus and especially A. gummifer) of the legume family that swells in water and is used chiefly as an emulsifying, suspending, or thickening agent

First Known Use of tragacanth

1558, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tragacanth

Middle French tragacanthe, from Latin tragacantha, from Greek tragakantha, from tragos goat + akantha thorn

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More Definitions for tragacanth

tragacanth

noun
trag·​a·​canth | \ ˈtraj-É™-ËŒkan(t)th, ˈtrag-, -kÉ™n(t)th; also ˈtrag-É™-ËŒsan(t)th\

Medical Definition of tragacanth

: a gum obtained from various Asian or East European leguminous plants (genus Astragalus and especially A. gummifer) that swells in water and is used as an emulsifying, suspending, and thickening agent and as a demulcent

— called also gum tragacanth, hog gum

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