alum
Noun
- A chemical compound, typically a crystalline astringent salt.
- a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum
- a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the potassium double sulfate of aluminum
- a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
- a double sulphate of aluminum and potassium that is used as an astringent (among other things)
- 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).
- 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.
- A past attendee or graduate (of any gender) of a college, university or other educational institution.
Verb
- To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.
Examples
- ALUM is a short but useful word for a tight spot on the board.
Origin / Etymology
From Middle English alum, alum, alym, alyme, from Anglo-Norman alum, alun, from Latin alūmen.
Synonyms
alumna, alumnus, ammonia alum, ammonium alum, grad, graduate, potash alum, potassium alum, alumni, alumnx
Scrabble Score: 6
alum: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordalum: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
alum: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary