Benzoin Definitions

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

BENZOIN'
BEN'JAMIN, n. Gum benjamin; a concrete resinous juice flowing from the Styrax Benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, etc. It is properly a balsam, as it yields benzoic acid. It flows from incisions made in the stem or branches. It is solid and brittle, sometimes in yellowish white tears joined together by a brown substance, and sometimes of a uniform brown substance like resin. It has little taste, but its smell, especially when rubbed or heated, is extremely fragrant and agreeable. It is chiefly used in cosmetics and perfumes.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation [syn: benzoin, gum benzoin, benjamin, gum benjamin, asa dulcis]
2: used in some classifications for the American spicebush and certain other plants often included in the genus Lindera [syn: Benzoin, genus Benzoin]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: modification of Middle French benjoin, from Catalan benjuí, from Arabic lub?n j?wi, literally, frankincense of Java Date: 1562 1. a hard fragrant yellowish balsamic resin from trees (genus Styrax) of southeastern Asia used especially as a fixative in perfumes, as incense, and in medicine as an expectorant and skin protectant 2. a white crystalline hydroxy ketone C₁₄H₁₂O₂ made from benzaldehyde

English Explanatory Dictionary

n. (also benzole) benzene, esp. unrefined and used as a fuel.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a fragrant gum resin obtained from various E. Asian trees of the genus Styrax, and used in the manufacture of perfumes and incense. 2 the white crystalline constituent of this. Also called gum benjamin. Etymology: earlier benjoin ult. f. Arab. luban jawi incense of Java

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Benzoin Ben*zoin" (b[e^]n*zoin"), n. [Cf. F. benjoin, Sp. benjui, Pg. beijoin; all fr. Ar. lub[=a]n-j[=a]w[=i] incense form Sumatra (named Java in Arabic), the first syllable being lost. Cf. Benjamin.] Note: [Called also benjamin.] 1. A resinous substance, dry and brittle, obtained from the 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. 2. A white crystalline substance, C14H12O2, obtained from benzoic aldehyde and some other sources. 3. (Bot.) The spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Flowers of benzoin, benzoic acid. See under Benzoic.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n.; (also benzoine) Gumbenjamin, benjamin, friar's balsam.