alumnoun [ U ]
uk/ˈæl.əm/us/ˈæl.əm/specializeda chemical substance containing aluminium used in dyeing (= changing the colour of something) and as an astringent (= substance that causes skin to tighten)
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Chemicals, chemical compounds & gases
- acrolein
- adenine
- aldehyde
- alkaline earth metal
- alkane
- ammonia
- ammonium
- butane
- calcium sulphate
- carbon monoxide
- iodide
- lye
- nitrate
- octane
- paraben
- phenolphthalein
- potassium permanganate
- sodium chloride
- starch
- sulphur dioxide
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Examples from literature
- It is much improved by adding a little pounded alum, while it is boiling.
- Let it remain over night till all the alum is dissolved.
- Salt and water is used by many as a gargle, but a little alum and honey dissolved in sage tea is better.
- The most common dressing consists of equal parts of rock salt and alum dissolved in water.
- To fix the colour alum is added in the boiling.