1. a resin obtained from the wood of a tropical American tree, used historically in medicine and in varnishes and polishes
Usage: also called guaiacum; historical medical use
2. the tropical American tree that produces guaiac resin
Usage: genus Guaiacum

Examples

• Guaiac was valued in Renaissance medicine as a treatment for syphilis.
• The guaiac tree grows in the Caribbean and Central America.
• Guaiac resin has been used in traditional varnishes for centuries.
• Chemists extract guaiac from the heartwood of the guaiac tree.
• The wood of the guaiac tree is extremely dense and durable.