camphor
camphor definition
cam·phor (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
Etymology: ME camfre < OFr camphre < ML camfora < Ar kāfūr < Sans karpuraḥ, camphor tree
Related Forms:
- camphoric cam·phor′ic (-fôr′ik) adjective
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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