- a soluble, gummy substance, formed from starch by the action of heat, acids, or ferments, occurring in various forms and having dextrorotatory properties: used chiefly as a thickening agent in printing inks and food, as a mucilage, and as a substitute for gum arabic and other natural substances.
- any of a group of sticky substances that are intermediate products in the conversion of starch to maltose: used as thickening agents in foods and as gums
