benzoin
1
[ ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in ]
/ ˈbɛn zoʊ ɪn, -zɔɪn, bɛnˈzoʊ ɪn /
noun
Also called gum benjamin, gum benzoin.
a reddish-brown, aromatic balsamic resin occurring in almondlike fragments and having a vanillalike odor, obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, especially S. benzoin, of Java, Sumatra, etc.: used in the manufacture of perfume and cosmetics and in medicine internally as an expectorant and externally as an antiseptic.
Also called benjamin, benjamin-bush.
any plant belonging to the genus Lindera (Benzoin), of the laurel family, including the spicebush and similar aromatic plants.
Origin of benzoin
1
1550–60; earlier
benjoin < Middle French < Portuguese
beijoim and Spanish
benjuí < Arabic
lubān jāwī frankincense of Java (
lu- probably constructed as the definite article);
z of
benzoin < Italian
benzoi ≪ Arabic
Words nearby benzoin
Definition for benzoin (2 of 2)
benzoin
2
[ ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in ]
/ ˈbɛn zoʊ ɪn, -zɔɪn, bɛnˈzoʊ ɪn /
noun Chemistry.
a white, slightly water-soluble powder, C14H12O2, derived by the condensation of benzaldehyde in the presence of potassium cyanide, and used in organic synthesis.
Example sentences from the Web for benzoin
British Dictionary definitions for benzoin
benzoin
/ (ˈbɛnzɔɪn, -zəʊɪn, bɛnˈzəʊɪn) /
noun
Also called: benjamin
a gum resin containing benzoic acid, obtained from various trees of the genus Styrax, esp S. benzoin of Java and Sumatra, and used in ointments, perfume, etc
a white or yellowish crystalline compound with a camphor-like odour used as an antiseptic and flavouring; 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone. Formula: C 6 H 5 CHOHCOC 6 H 5
any lauraceous aromatic shrub or tree of the genus Lindera, esp L. benzoin (spicebush)
Word Origin for benzoin
C16: from French
benjoin, from Old Catalan
benjui, from Arabic
lubān jāwī, literally: frankincense of Java
Scientific definitions for benzoin
benzoin
[ bĕn′zō-ĭn, -zoin′ ]
A resin obtained from the bark of certain tropical Asian trees of the genus Styrax and used in making perfumes and in medicine as an antiseptic.
A very toxic white or yellowish crystalline compound derived from benzaldehyde. It oxidizes easily and is used as a reducing agent. Chemical formula: C14H12O2.