guaiacum

guai·a·cum

noun \ˈg(w)ī-ə-kəm\

Definition of GUAIACUM

1

capitalized : a genus (family Zygophyllaceae) of tropical American trees and shrubs having pinnate leaves, usually blue flowers, and capsular fruit

2

: any tree or shrub of the genus Guaiacum

3

: a resin with a faint balsamic odor obtained as tears or masses from the trunk of either of two trees of the genus Guaiacum (G. officinale or G. sanctum) used formerly in medicine as a remedy for gout or rheumatism and now in various tests (as for peroxidases or bloodstains) because of the formation of a blue color on oxidation—see guaiac test