camphor

[ kam-fer ]

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a whitish, translucent, crystalline, pleasant-odored terpene ketone, C 10 H 16 O, obtained from the camphor tree, used chiefly in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a counter-irritant for infections and in the treatment of pain and itching.
2. any substance having medicinal or aromatic characteristics similar to those of camphor.

camphor

/ kæmˈfɒrɪk; ˈkæmfə /

noun

1. a whitish crystalline aromatic terpene ketone obtained from the wood of the camphor tree or made from pinene: used in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a liniment and treatment for colds. Formula: C 10 H 16 O

camphor

/ kăm′fər /

1. A white, gumlike, crystalline compound that has a strong odor. Camphor is volatile and is used as an insect repellent and in making plastics and explosives. Chemical formula: C 10 H 16 O.

Derived Forms

• camphoric, adjective

Other Words From

• cam·phor·a·ceous [kam-f, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, s], adjective
• cam·phor·ic [kam-, fawr, -ik, -, for, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of camphor¹

1275–1325; < Medieval Latin, New Latin camphora ≪ Arabic kāfūr < Malay kapur chalk, lime, camphor; replacing Middle English caumfre < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of camphor¹

C15: from Old French camphre, from Medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic kāfūr, from Malay kāpūr chalk; related to Khmer kāpōr camphor

Example Sentences

Imperial Kitchen, a restaurant in Hong Kong, makes my favorite version: smoked Peking duck with camphor wood spices.

From The Daily Beast

Furs should be kept in a box, alone, and in summer carefully packed, with a quantity of lump camphor to protect from moths.

From Project Gutenberg

In this case, never leave home without a straw-covered bottle of brandy, and another of camphor, in your carpet-bag.

From Project Gutenberg

The window-curtains were presumably packed in camphor, and the dim panes suggested a cobwebbed and desolate interior.

From Project Gutenberg

The camphor tree grows very well here, but I do not know if the gum has ever been collected.

From Project Gutenberg

The camphor tree overhead was thrown out darkly against the stars, like its own shadow.

From Project Gutenberg