alum

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

English [edit]

Wikipedia has an article on:

Wikipedia

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology 1 [edit]

From Anglo-Norman alum, alume et al., Middle French allume, from Latin alūmen (“alumen”).

Pronunciation [edit]

Noun [edit]

alum (plural alums)

  1. An astringent salt, usually occurring in the form of pale crystals, much used in the dyeing and tanning trade and in certain medicines, and now understood to be a double sulphate of potassium and aluminium (K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O). [from 14th c.]
    • 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin 2012, p. 201:
      A natural astringent and antiseptic, potassium alum was coveted for its medicinal and cosmetic properties.
  2. (chemistry) Any similar double sulphate in which either or both of the potassium and aluminium is wholly or partly replaced by other univalent or tervalent cations. [from 17th c.]
Synonyms [edit]
  • (double sulphate of potassium and aluminum): potash alum
Derived terms [edit]
term derived from alum
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
chemistry: double sulfate

Verb [edit]

alum (third-person singular simple present alums, present participle aluming, simple past and past participle alumed)

  1. (transitive) To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Ure to this entry?)
Derived terms [edit]

Etymology 2 [edit]

From alumnus and alumna, by removal of the non-native, gender-specific endings.

Pronunciation [edit]

  • IPA: /əˈlʌm/

Noun [edit]

alum (plural alums)

  1. (US) A graduate of a university or other institution.

See also [edit]

Anagrams [edit]

Latvian [edit]

Noun [edit]

alum m

  1. dative singular form of alus
Retrieved from "http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=alum&oldid=20547885"