noun
- a tropical American tree (genus Guaiacum) with hard, dense wood, or the resin obtained from it, historically used in medicine and varnishes.
Usage: Also called lignum vitae or guaiac wood.; The resin was historically used to treat syphilis and gout.
Examples
- Guaiacum wood is so dense that it sinks in water.
- The resin from guaiacum was a popular remedy in medieval medicine.
- Guaiacum trees are native to the Caribbean and Central America.
- The hardness of guaiacum made it valuable for shipbuilding.
- Guaiacum resin has been used as a component in varnishes and lacquers.