alum
Pucker-inducing compound
Alum is a chemical compound—a double sulfate of aluminum and another metal, typically potassium—used in dyeing, tanning, and water purification.
The crystals have astringent properties, once commonly applied to stop bleeding from small cuts.
Separately, alum is informal shorthand for alumnus or alumna: She's an alum of Harvard.
The plural alums avoids the gender distinction of alumni/alumnae.
Draw into wrinkles
- tightenMake more secure
- constrictTo squeeze tightly
- stypticAgent that stops bleeding
- mordantCuttingly critical in expression
pickling · dyeing · tanning · water treatment · coagulant · purification · antiperspirant · fireproofing
Former school members
- alumnaFemale former student
- alumnusMale former student
- reunionGathering after separation
- homecomingReturning to one's origin
networking · mentorship · donor · endowment · legacy · alma mater · commencement · diploma
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- sulfateAcidic salt compound
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- double saltCompound of two salts crystallized together
- solubleAble to dissolve
acidic · buffer · precipitate · reagent · solution · powder · granular · anhydrous
pucker
Draw into wrinkles
mordant · pickling · dyeing · tanning · water treatment · coagulant · purification · antiperspirant · fireproofing · papermaking
alumni
Former school members
homecoming · networking · mentorship · donor · endowment · legacy · alma mater · commencement · diploma · fundraising
potassium
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- sulfateAcidic salt compound
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- double saltCompound of two salts crystallized together
soluble · acidic · buffer · precipitate · reagent · solution · powder · granular · anhydrous
- aluminum compoundscryolite
- sulfate mineralsgypsum, barite, anhydrite, celestite, copper sulfate
- shavingrazor, razors, shave, blade, blades
- alumnialumni, alumni network, Harvard alumni, alumni reunion, alumna
- crystalsquartz, amethyst, diamond, citrine, rose quartz
- Pickling Ingredientsvinegar, brine, pickling salt, dill, pickling spice
alumundergraduate
Degree-seeking college student
freshman · sophomore · junior · senior · graduate student
- aluminum foilThin metallic kitchen sheeting
- aluminum canMetal beverage container
- aluminium foilThin metallic food wrap
- aluminum batMetal baseball hitting tool
- aluminum sidingLightweight exterior wall covering
- aluminum hydroxideAmphoteric metal hydroxide compound