alum

/ˈæləm/
/əˈlʌm/
IPA guide

Other forms: alums

Definitions of alum (/ˈæləm/)
  1. noun
    a double sulphate of aluminum and potassium that is used as an astringent (among other things)
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    type of:
    astringent, astringent drug, styptic
    a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals
  2. noun
    a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the potassium double sulfate of aluminum
    synonyms: potash alum, potassium alum
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    type of:
    Al, aluminium, aluminum, atomic number 13
    a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite
    double salt
    a solution of two simple salts that forms a single substance on crystallization
  3. noun
    a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum
    synonyms: ammonia alum, ammonium alum
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    type of:
    Al, aluminium, aluminum, atomic number 13
    a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite
    double salt
    a solution of two simple salts that forms a single substance on crystallization
Definitions of alum (/əˈlʌm/)
  1. noun
    a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
    synonyms: alumna, alumnus, grad, graduate
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    types:
    Ivy Leaguer
    a student or graduate at an Ivy League school
    old boy
    a former male pupil of a school
    type of:
    bookman, scholar, scholarly person, student
    a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
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