noun Ammoniac, Gum ammoniac n. (Med.) The concrete juice (gum resin) of an umbelliferous plant, the Dorema ammoniacum. It is brought chiefly from Iran in the form of yellowish tears, which occur singly, or are aggregated into masses. It has a peculiar smell, and a nauseous, sweet taste, followed by a bitter one. It is inflammable, partially soluble in water and in alcohol, and is used in medicine as an expectorant and resolvent, and for the formation of certain plasters.
adjective ammoniacal, Ammoniac adj. Of, pertaining, or containing ammonia, or possessing its properties; as, an ammoniac salt; ammoniacal gas. Ammoniacal engine, an engine in which the vapor of ammonia is used as the motive force. Sal ammoniac, the salt usually called chloride of ammonium, and formerly muriate of ammonia.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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