Ungummed

The adjective 'ungummed' describes something that is not held together or sealed with gum or adhesive. It implies a lack of stickiness, a state of being unattached, or a condition where the intended binding agent is absent or ineffective. The term can apply to various objects, from envelopes and stamps to packaging materials and other items designed to be secured or sealed with a gum-like substance. The opposite state signifies a secure, gummed state. Think of a label that hasn't stuck, a stamp that can't adhere, or a parcel that is not sealed.

Ungummed meaning with examples

• The vintage envelope, discovered in the attic, was ungummed and fragile. Its seal, once a testament to a time, was now undone, easily opened without leaving a trace. Its historical content, remained preserved, safe and accessible. We would never know when the stamp on it, was applied.
• The craft project required many self-made ungummed labels, to be pasted in the correct positions. They used separate adhesive, as using the supplied gummed ones wouldn't produce the aesthetic required by the project. It was important to note, however, that you should not damage the paper.
• The parcel arrived, its cardboard flaps ungummed and slightly ajar. The delivery driver said the packing materials had been damaged. Some of the contents were lost. The recipient had to go to the store to replace the missing material, even though, there had been an extra charge for it.
• The old book was ungummed at the spine, exposing the binding threads. The librarian said it was common for books to become unsealed through age and wear, especially those from the early twentieth century. Repair was needed to prevent the book from losing more pages, and falling to pieces.