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Short "hint"

A double sulphate of a silvery ductile metallic element and potassium that is used as an astringent (among other things).

Watch out! You may see this word with another pronunciation and its meaning is then different.
Used as a noun, listen here, it means: A double sulphate of a silvery ductile metallic element and potassium that is used as an astringent (among other things). . Used as a noun, listen here, it means: A person who has received a degree from a school; short for alumnus or alumna.

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Usage examples (37)
  • He carefully handled the alum with a pair of thongs.
  • Adjective : an aluminum frying pan
  • Tom, a Stanford alum, is no stranger to such awards.
  • The Lost alum is set to guest-star on How I Met Your Mother, a show rep tells TVGuide. com.
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Tutoring comment
  • ''Alum" is a heteronym, which means you may find it with different pronunciations and different meanings.
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