alum

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) An astringent salt, usually occurring in the form of pale crystals, much used in the dyeing and tanning trade and in certain medicines, and now understood to be a double sulphate of potassium and aluminium (K₂SO₄·Al₂(SO₄)₃·24H₂O).
2. (countable, uncountable) Any similar double sulphate in which either or both of the potassium and aluminium is wholly or partly replaced by other univalent or tervalent cations.

Verb

To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.

Synonyms

alumna

alumen

potash alum

alumnus

ammonia alum

ammonium alum

potassium alum

graduate

🎓

grad

aluminum ammonium sulfate

vitriol

college man

alaum

common aluminum

white alum

allume

alumbre

ammonium aluminum sulfate

Translations

alun

alumbre

allume

alum

aluin

Alaun

alume

şap

στύψη

alumen

στυπτηρία

allumare

ancien élève

étudiant

🧑‍🎓

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæl.əm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: alum

In summary

From Middle English alum, alum, alym, alyme, from Anglo-Norman alum, alun, from Latin alūmen.