The Clue
What gingivitis affects (4 letter answer)
The Answer
GUMS
Tags
Notes
The answer GUMS is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 1200 puzzles.
Related Clues
Sapodillas
Tragacanths
Bites ineffectually
Canine holders
Settings for molars
Teeth holders
Tree types
___ up (botches)
Definition
GUM as a noun:
1. (chewing gum, gum) = a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
2. (gingiva, gum) = the tissue (covered by mucous membrane) of the jaws that surrounds the bases of the teeth
3. any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying
4. (glue, gum, mucilage) = cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
5. (gumwood, gum) = wood or lumber from any of various gum trees especially the sweet gum
6. (gum tree, gum) = any of various trees of the genera Eucalyptus or Liquidambar or Nyssa that are sources of gum
GUM as a verb:
1. cover, fill, fix or smear with or as if with gum; "if you gum the tape it is stronger"
2. (mumble, gum) = grind with the gums; chew without teeth and with great difficulty; "the old man had no teeth left and mumbled his food"
3. become sticky
4. exude or form gum; "these trees gum in the Spring"