alum
An astringent salt, usually occurring in the form of pale crystals, much used in the…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).
» Tom is a Harvard alum.
Meaning
3 senses(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).
(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.
Alaun
квасцы́kvascý
(Canada, US)A past attendee or graduate (of any gender) of a college, university or other educational institution.
1961 Spring, Anchora of Delta Gamma, Volume LXXVII, No. 3, page 59, Evanston-North Shore alums are happy to open their homes to Sigma actives for special social events.
Examples
5 sentencesTom is a Harvard alum.
An astringent, like an alum block or styptic pencil, helps close and heal small cuts after shaving.
Mix eight grams of alum with seven grams of cream of tartar in a small amount of hot water.
Second City alum Tom Jackson will be co-starring.
Harvard alum Tom Jackson isn't the sort of person you would expect to forget how to tie his shoes.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English alum, alym, alyme, from Anglo-Norman alum, alun, from Latin alūmen.From Middle English alum, alym, alyme, from Anglo-Norman alum, alun, from Latin alūmen.
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Forms
plural: alums / alumniSynonyms
3 synonymsWord family
35 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular
- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable