Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » camphor

camphor

Listen See in a sentence

(kam′fər)

noun

a volatile, crystalline ketone, CHO, with a strong characteristic odor, derived from the wood of the camphor tree or synthetically from pinene: used to protect fabrics from moths, in manufacturing cellulose plastics, and in medicine as an irritant and stimulant
any of several derivatives of terpenes

Origin: ME camfre < OFr camphre < ML camfora < Ar kāfūr < Sans karpuraḥ, camphor tree

Related Forms:

camphoric adjective

See camphor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An aromatic crystalline compound, C₁₀H₁₆O, obtained naturally from the wood or leaves of the camphor tree or synthesized and used as an insect repellent, in the manufacture of film, plastics, lacquers, and explosives, and in medicine chiefly in external preparations to relieve mild pain and itching.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English caumfre

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman

Origin: , from Medieval Latin camphora

Origin: , from Arabic kāfūr

Origin: , possibly from Malay kapur

Origin: ; akin to Sanskrit karpūraḥ

Related Forms: