gambier



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Gambier \Gam"bier\, n. [Malayan.]
   (a) The inspissated juice of a plant (Uncaria Gambir)
       growing in Malacca. It is a powerful astringent, and,
       under the name of Terra Japonica, is used for chewing
       with the Areca nut, and is exported for tanning and
       dyeing.
   (b) Catechu. [Written also gambeer and gambir.]
       [1913 Webster]
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Catechu \Cat"e*chu\, n. [See Cashoo.] (Chem.)
   A dry, brown, astringent extract, obtained by decoction and
   evaporation from the Acacia catechu, and several other
   plants growing in India. It contains a large portion of
   tannin or tannic acid, and is used in medicine and in the
   arts. It is also known by the names terra japonica,
   cutch, gambier, etc. --Ure. --Dunglison.
   [1913 Webster]














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