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
British Dictionary definitions for gum benzoin (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for gum benzoin (2 of 2)
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 gum 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.