Read full poem →While, clogg'd, he beats his silken wings in vain;
Or alum styptics with contracting power
Shrink his thin essence like a rivell'd flower:
Dictionary Entry
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).
Origin
Origin details are still being enriched for this entry.
Common Phrases
. alumsolution alumbaking alumrock alumalum chromealum potassiumalum iron
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Antonyms
No antonyms yet.
Related Words
Poetry examples for “alum”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Read full poem →Till the filthy by-lane rings to the yell of the trampled wife,
While chalk and alum and plaster are sold to the poor for bread,
And the spirit of murder works in the very means of life.
Read full poem →Salt-like Pboduots, etc., 116-121: Salt, 116; Nitre, 117; Alum, 118; Epsom-
Salts, 119; Gypsum, 119; Manganese, 120; Native Sulphur, 120; Mineral