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Glite Dictionary
gumbo-limbo

gumbo-limbo

9.9
A tropical tree with smooth red bark that gives a sticky resin used for varnish
  • noun
  • /ˈɡʌmboʊ ˈlɪmboʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gumbo-limbo

Examples

  • Locals harvest the resin from the gumbo-limbo tree to use in natural varnishes.

  • The gumbo-limbo is known for its distinctive red bark and resilience in tropical climates.

  • We saw a towering gumbo-limbo during our hike in the Caribbean forest.

  • The gumbo-limbo tree is known for its smooth bark.

  • In Florida, the gumbo-limbo thrives in tropical climates.

  • The gumbo-limbo tree is known for its smooth reddish bark and is often used in making varnishes.

  • Under the gumbo-limbo tree's shade, children played while adults discussed the resin's benefits.

  • Visitors can easily recognize the gumbo-limbo by its distinctive peeling bark and tall stature.

Synonyms

Bursera simaruba
vsgumbo-limbo
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical tree from the Americas that makes a sticky reddish sap used for varnish and cement

is the common, everyday name for the same tree rather than the scientific label

Surface Forms

gumbo-limbo singular
gumbo-limbos plural

Etymology

The word gumbo-limbo probably mixes gum ('sticky resin') with limbo, a local name for the tree. A helpful way to remember it is to picture the tree's shiny red, peeling bark and the sticky 'gum' it gives — it is even nicknamed the 'tourist tree' because the bark looks like sunburned skin, so the name points to the tree's resin and bright trunk.