benzoin Hear it!

benzoin definition

ben·zoin (ben′zō in′, ben zō′in; ben′zo̵in′)

noun

  1. a balsamic resin obtained from certain tropical Asiatic trees (genus Styrax of the storax family) and used in medicine and perfumery and as incense
  2. any of a genus (Lindera) of aromatic plants of the laurel family; esp., the spicebush of E North America
  3. Chem. a white, crystalline substance, CHCHOHCOCH, used in making antiseptic ointments and in respiration inhalants

Etymology: Fr benjoin < It benzoino < Ar lubān jāwī, incense of Java: lu- dropped because falsely assumed to be the article

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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