tragacanth

English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Ancient Greek τραγάκανθα (tragákantha, “tragacanth”).

Noun

tragacanth (countable and uncountable, plural tragacanths)

1. A polysaccharide gum, extracted from several species of leguminous plants of the genus Astragalus, used as a food additive.
   • 1844, E.A.Poe, Marginalia

     Where what I have to note is too much to be included within the narrow limits of a margin, I commit it to a slip of paper, and deposit it between the leaves; taking care to secure it by an imperceptible portion of gum tragacanth paste.

Synonyms

• E413 when used as a thickener, stabiliser and emulsifier