cutch
1. A packet of leaves in which thinly rolled and
cut gold is first beaten in the manufacture of
gold leaf. After the gold is rolled to a thickness
of 0.001 inch and 1 1/4 inches wide, it is then
cut into 1 1/4 inch squares. Two hundred ninety of
these sheets are interleaved with 4 1/2 inch
squares of vellum or paper, forming the "cutch,"
which is secured with heavy bands of parchment.
The name derives from the Latin calcare, to tread.
See also: GOLD
LEAF ;MOLD (2)
;SHODER . 2. A
vegetable tannin obtained from the heartwood of
Acacia catechu, a tree distributed widely
throughout the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining
areas. Cutch consists principally of catechutannic
acid (25-35%), catechin (2-10%), quercetin, and
catechu red. When used alone, it produces a harsh
leather, which often has an undesirable yellow
color. Although it has been used as a tanning
material to some extent, particularly in England
and Italy, the term "cutch" is better known as a
tannin prepared from the bark of MANGROVE trees. See
also: VEGETABLE
TANNINS .
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