Definition

Noun: A reddish-brown gum or resin obtained from the sap of several tropical trees, particularly of the genus Pterocarpus. It is soluble in water and is used for its astringent properties and in the process of tanning leather.

Usage

"Gum kino" is used as a non-count noun to refer to the substance itself. It is typically discussed in contexts related to botany, traditional medicine, and industrial applications like tanning.

Examples

• The tanner used gum kino to treat the hides.
• Gum kino has been a traditional remedy for its astringent effects.
• The substance extracted from the tree was identified as gum kino.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Source: The term is often specified by the plant source, e.g., "Malabar kino" from or "East Indian kino" from .
• Pharmaceutical Context: Historically, it was used in formulations as a styptic (to stop bleeding) or a treatment for diarrhea due to its high tannin content.

Variants and Related Words

• Kino: A more general term for the dried juice or gum from various tropical trees, often used interchangeably with "gum kino."
• Pterocarpus: The genus of trees that are a primary source of this gum.
• Astringent: A substance that causes contraction of body tissues, a key property of gum kino.

Synonyms

• Botanical gum
• Vegetable astringent (descriptive synonym)
• Tannin-rich resin (descriptive synonym)

Notes on Meaning

This word refers specifically to a natural product. It should not be confused with synthetic adhesives or other types of gum (e.g., chewing gum). Its primary defining characteristics are its botanical origin, reddish-brown color, solubility in water, and traditional uses in medicine and tanning.

Noun

1. a gum obtained from various tropical plants; used as an astringent and in tanning