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gum arabic
noun
: a water-soluble gum obtained from several acacias (especially Acacia senegal) and used especially in the manufacture of inks, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and confections
Examples of gum arabic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though Darfur and other non-urban parts of Sudan continue to be underserved and exploited for natural resources like gold and gum arabic, the RSF isn’t confronting an uprising there.
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Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 22 Apr. 2024
Another popular theory has to do with the varnish: namely, that Stradivari used an ingenious cocktail of honey, egg whites, and gum arabic from sub-Saharan trees—or perhaps salts or other chemicals.
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Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2022
Gum syrup is a simple syrup combined with gum arabic, a powder derived from the Acacia tree which gives a silky body to cocktails.
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Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2021
After the mid-1800s, marshmallow manufactures replaced the sap ingredient with corn syrup or sugar, gelatin, gum arabic and other flavorings.
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Devon Link, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2021
The recipe’s key ingredient is gum Arabic, a thickening agent that somehow takes the rough edges off Peruvian brandy.
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Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, 27 Dec. 2019
The country is also the world’s biggest exporter of gum arabic, a sap that’s extracted from acacia trees and used in sodas and pharmaceuticals.
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Washington Post, 8 July 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gum arabic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of gum arabic was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near gum arabic
Cite this Entry
“Gum arabic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gum%20arabic. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
gum arabic
noun
: a gum that can be dissolved in water, is obtained from several acacias, and is used especially in making adhesives, drugs, and candy
Medical Definition
gum arabic
noun
gum ar·a·bic
-ˈar-ə-bik
: a water-soluble gum obtained from several leguminous plants of the genus Acacia (especially A. senegal and A. arabica) and used especially in pharmacy to suspend insoluble substances in water, to prepare emulsions, and to make pills and lozenges
called also acacia, gum acacia
More from Merriam-Webster on gum arabic
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gum arabic
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