Persian gum

English

Etymology

From their origin in Iran. In reference to P. scoparia, specifically after the model of gum arabic.

Noun

Persian gum (countable and uncountable, plural Persian gums)

1. (uncountable) Synonym of sarcocolla, the gum resin of the milkvetches Astragalus sarcocolla and/or A. fasciculifolius.
   • 1966 October 16, "The Fabulous Monarchs of Britain: Medieval Version of the Napalm Bomb", Chicago Tribune, Sect. 1A, p. 12:

     One contemporary description of Greek fire gives its formula as follows: "Take quick sulphur, dregs of wine, Persian gum, baked salt, pitch, petroleum, and common oil. Boil these together. Then whatever is placed therein and lighted, whether wood or iron, cannot be extinguished except with vinegar or sand."

2. (uncountable) The gum resin of the wild almonds Prunus scoparia and/or P. lycioides.
   • 2017, Soleiman Abbasi, "Persian Gum: A Novel Natural Hydrocolloid", Nutrition and Food Sciences Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, p. 1:

     The author attempted to name it Persian gum, representing its origin the Persia or Iran, as the competitor of the very well-known "gum Arabic", the exudate of acacia trees...

3. (countable, synecdochically) Any of the plants producing such resins.

References

• J.D. Latham (1972), "Arabic into Medieval Latin", Journal of Semitic Studies, Vol. 17, No. 1, p. 40.