Pronunciation: [ɡˈambɪə] (IPA) 
Gambier is a word that can be tricky to spell. The correct pronunciation is /ɡæmbiər/, which means that the "a" in gam is pronounced like the "a" in "cat", and the "ie" is pronounced like "ee". The word refers to a dark yellow-brown dye that is extracted from a species of trees found in Southeast Asia. Remembering that the word has two "b's" and a "ie" instead of a "y" can help with its spelling.
Gambier is a noun that can refer to a plant, a substance derived from the plant, or a geographical location.
1. Plant: Gambier typically refers to a climbing shrub of the Rubiaceae family, native to Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Its scientific name is Uncaria gambir. The plant possesses small, pointed leaves and yellow flowers. Due to its tannin-rich composition, its leaves are commonly harvested and used in the production of gambier extract.
2. Substance: Gambier can also represent the extract obtained from the leaves of the aforementioned plant. The extract is derived through a process of boiling and drying the leaves. Gambier extract is widely used as a dye and as a tanning agent in the leather industry. It imparts a brown color and is known for its excellent fixative properties.
3. Geographical Location: Besides its botanical and chemical associations, Gambier can also denote a geographical location. Gambier is an administrative division within the West Bank region, located in the Palestinian Territories. This district encompasses various towns, villages, and cities, and has historical and cultural significance within the region.
Overall, the term "gambier" can refer to a plant, the extract derived from its leaves, or a geographical location, depending on the context in which it is used.
Catechu.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Gambier" has multiple origins. One of its primary origins is from the Malay language, where it is derived from the word "gambir". Gambir refers to a type of catechu, a brown extract derived from the leaves and bark of certain trees found in Southeast Asia.
The Malay word "gambir" is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "jabir", which means "astringent". The Arabic term "jabir" may have been introduced into the Malay language during the spread of Islam in the region.
In addition to this, "Gambier" also has a historical connection to the name of a group of islands in the Malay Archipelago called the Gambier Islands, now known as the Îles Gambier in French Polynesia.
