benzoin
English
editEtymology
editFrom Middle French benjoin, from Catalan benjuí, from Arabic لُبَان جَاوِيّ (lubān jāwiyy, “Javanese frankincense”). The first word is from Proto-West Semitic *laban- (“white”), the second from جاوة (jāwa, “Java”) (from Javanese ꦗꦮ (jawa)).
The initial lu was probably lost because it was taken as the definite article in Romance. Compare oliban.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editbenzoin (countable and uncountable, plural benzoins)
- A resinous substance, dry and brittle, obtained from Styrax benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, Java, etc., having a fragrant odor, and slightly aromatic taste. It is used in the preparation of benzoic acid, in medicine, and as a perfume. [from 16th c.]
- 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
- These following bodies do not draw: smaragd, achates, corneolus, pearl, jaspis, chalcedonius, alabaster, porphyry, coral, marble, touchstone, haematites, or bloodstone; smyris, ivory, bones, ebontree, cedar, cypress, pitch, softer rosin, camphire, galbanum, ammoniac, storax, benzoin, loadstone, asphaltum.
- 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 112:
- Aromatics were used, too, especially in necromancy, and an old recipe of that sort comprises Musk, Myrrh, Frankincense, Red Storax, Mastick, Olibanum, Saffron, Benzoin and Labdanum.
- (organic chemistry) An aromatic hydroxy ketone, 2-hydroxy-1,2-di(phenyl)ethanone, synthesized from benzaldehyde; any derivative of this compound. [from 19th c.]
- The spicebush, Lindera benzoin. [from 19th c.]
Derived terms
editRelated terms
editTranslations
editresinous substance from tree
|
white crystalline substance
spicebush — see spicebush
Anagrams
editCategories:
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms derived from Catalan
- English terms derived from Arabic
- English terms derived from Proto-West Semitic
- English terms derived from Javanese
- English terms derived from the Arabic root ل ب ن
- English 3-syllable words
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/ɛnzəʊɪn
- Rhymes:English/ɛnzəʊɪn/3 syllables
- Rhymes:English/ɛnzɔɪn
- Rhymes:English/ɛnzɔɪn/2 syllables
- English lemmas
- English nouns
- English uncountable nouns
- English countable nouns
- English terms with quotations
- en:Organic compounds
- en:Ericales order plants
- en:Gums and resins
- en:Laurel family plants
- en:Spices and herbs