TRAGACANTH Meaning and
Definition
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Tragacanth is a noun that refers to a gummy substance derived from the sap of various Middle Eastern leguminous plants, primarily from the Astragalus genus. It is commonly known as a natural gum or tragacanth gum. The word "tragacanth" has its origins in the Greek words "tragos" and "akantha," meaning "goat" and "thorn" respectively, referring to the thorny plants from which it is extracted.
Tragacanth gum is a water-soluble gum that possesses unique properties, such as being able to form a viscous, sticky, and gel-like consistency when mixed with water. It is widely used for various purposes owing to its ability to form stable emulsions, act as a binder, thickener, and stabilizer, and provide an excellent texture to a wide range of products.
The applications of tragacanth gum are diverse, and it finds its use in several industries. In the food industry, it is commonly used in confectionery products, baked goods, beverages, and ice creams as a stabilizer and thickening agent. It is also utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for its binding properties in tablets, or as an emulsifier and suspending agent in liquid formulations. Other applications include use in cosmetics, especially for water-based formulations such as creams and lotions, as well as in textiles, paper, and even in traditional herbal medicine.
As a natural gum, tragacanth possesses both functional and beneficial properties, making it a valuable ingredient in a multitude of products across various industries.
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The concrete juice or gum of several species of shrubby or herbaceous plants, abundant in Siberia, usually in the form of white or yellowish semi-transparent flakes, of great toughness.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TRAGACANTH
- rragacanth
- fragacanth
- gragacanth
- yragacanth
- 6ragacanth
- 5ragacanth
- teagacanth
- tdagacanth
- tfagacanth
- ttagacanth
- t5agacanth
- t4agacanth
- trzgacanth
- trsgacanth
- trwgacanth
- trqgacanth
- trafacanth
- travacanth
- trabacanth
Etymology of TRAGACANTH
The word "tragacanth" is derived from the Middle French term "tragacanthe" which came from the Medieval Latin word "tragacantha" or "tragacantum". The Latin term was formed by combining the words "tragos" meaning "goat", and "akantha" meaning "thorn", referring to the thorny shrubs of the genus Astragalus, particularly Astragalus gummifer, from which a gum resin known as tragacanth is obtained. This gum resin is used in various industries for its adhesive and thickening properties.
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