əˈmōnēˌak noun
or am·mo·ni·a·cum ˌaməˈnīəkəm
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English & Latin; Middle English ammonyak, from Latin ammoniacum ammoniac, from Greek ammōniakon, from neuter of ammōniakos of Ammon; probably from its occurrence in plants growing near a temple of Ammon in Egypt
1. : the aromatic gum resin of the ammoniac plant that occurs in commerce in the form of yellowish tears or lumps with a bittersweet somewhat nauseous and acrid taste and that is used as an expectorant and stimulant and in the formation of certain plasters — called also gum ammoniac, Persian ammoniac
2. : a dark-colored gum resin derived from a northern African plant ( Ferula brevifolia ) — called also African ammoniac