mucilage

(mu’sil-4j) [L. mucila’go]. 1. An artificial viscid paste of gum or dextrin: used in pharmacy as a vehicle or excipient, or in therapy as a demulcent. The principal mucilages are those of acacia, elm, salep, sa afras-pith, starch, and tragacanth. 2. A naturally formed viscid principle in a plant, consisting of a gum di olved in the juices of the plant.