guaiacum noun. ['gwʌɪǝkǝm] M16.
[mod. Latin from Spanish guayaco, guayacan, from Taino guayacan.]
1. Any of various trees and shrubs of the genus Guaiacum (family Zygophyllaceae), native to the W. Indies and tropical America, esp. G. officinale and G. sanctum. M16.

2. The hard very heavy wood of such a tree; lignum vitae. M16.

3. A resin obtained from such a tree, formerly used to treat gout and rheumatism, now as a flavouring; a drug prepared from it. Also gum guaiacum. M16.

Comb.:
guaiacum test Medicine: for the absence of blood from urine or faeces, involving guaiacum.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲