From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Alum \Al"um\, noun [OE. alum, alom, OF. alum, F. alun, fr. L. alumen alum.] (Chem.) A double sulphate formed of aluminium and some other element (esp. an alkali metal) or of aluminium. It has twenty-four molecules of water of crystallization.
Note: Common alum is the double sulphate of aluminium and potassium. It is white, transparent, very astringent, and crystallizes easily in octahedrons. The term is extended so as to include other double sulphates similar to alum in formula.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Alum \Al"um\, verb (used with an object) To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum. --Ure. ||
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum [syn: {ammonia alum}, {ammonium alum}]
2: a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the potassium double sulfate of aluminum [syn: {potassium alum}, {potash alum}]
3: a person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university) [syn: {alumnus}, {alumna}, {graduate}, {grad}]
4: a double sulphate of aluminum and potassium that is used as an astringent (among other things)
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