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Lignum-vitae   Listen
noun
Lignum-vitae  n.  (Bot.) A tree (Guaiacum officinale) found in the warm latitudes of America, from which the guaiacum of medicine is procured. Its wood is very hard and heavy, and is used for various mechanical purposes, as for the wheels of ships' blocks, cogs, bearings, and the like. See Guaiacum. Note: In New Zealand the Metrosideros buxifolia is called lignum-vitae, and in Australia a species of Acacia. The bastard lignum-vitae is a West Indian tree (Sarcomphalus laurinus).






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Lignum-vitae" Quotes from Famous Books



... "hard" wood, and ask my opinion. It depends: if it's the hardness you want, should recommend lignum-vitae and ebony; if the wood, economy would suggest that white-pine, and certain other softer sorts, be not overlooked. To answer according to the spirit of your inquiry, I should say, by all means (if you do not mind the cost) use wood instead of putty. With all respect for white paint and striped ...
— Homes And How To Make Them • Eugene Gardner

... improvement in connection with the screw remains to be noticed, namely, lining the "bushings" and "bearings" with lignum-vitae,—the invention of Mr. ...
— The Atlantic Monthly, Volume V, Number 29, March, 1860 - A Magazine Of Literature, Art, And Politics • Various

... out the long word with a gusto. "Quebracho is a tree something like the lignum-vitae and grows in South America. The hardened gum comes in barrels and looks like rosin; sometimes, instead of being hard, it is shipped in a liquid state in big tank cars. There is about fifteen per cent. of tannin in quebracho ...
— The Story of Leather • Sara Ware Bassett



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