ammoniac

ammoniac or gum ammoniac (umō'nēăk") [key], yellowish substance with a sickening, bitter taste, obtained from the milky exudate of the injured stem of a plant (Dorema ammoniacum) found in Iran, India, and S Siberia. It is a gum resin, soluble in alcohol and ether. It is used in industry in the manufacture of porcelain cements and in medicine as an expectorant. When gum ammoniac is distilled, it yields a liquid, oil of ammoniac.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print
  • Email
  • Bookmark
    • Add bookmark
    • Add to del.icio.us
    • Digg It!
    • Add to Reddit