benzoin

¹ American  

[ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in] / ˈbɛn zoʊ ɪn, -zɔɪn, bɛnˈzoʊ ɪn /

noun

1. Also called gum benjamin.  Also called gum benzoin.  a reddish-brown, aromatic balsamic resin occurring in almondlike fragments and having a vanillalike odor, obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, especially S. benzoin, of Java, Sumatra, etc.: used in the manufacture of perfume and cosmetics and in medicine internally as an expectorant and externally as an antiseptic.

2. Also called benjamin, benjamin-bush.  any plant belonging to the genus Lindera (Benzoin ), of the laurel family, including the spicebush and similar aromatic plants.

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benzoin ² American  

[ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in] / ˈbɛn zoʊ ɪn, -zɔɪn, bɛnˈzoʊ ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, slightly water-soluble powder, C 14 H 12 O 2 , derived by the condensation of benzaldehyde in the presence of potassium cyanide, and used in organic synthesis.

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benzoin British  

/ bɛnˈzəʊɪn, -zəʊɪn, ˈbɛnzɔɪn /

noun

1. Also called: benjamin.  a gum resin containing benzoic acid, obtained from various trees of the genus Styrax , esp S. benzoin of Java and Sumatra, and used in ointments, perfume, etc

2. a white or yellowish crystalline compound with a camphor-like odour used as an antiseptic and flavouring; 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone. Formula: C 6 H 5 CHOHCOC 6 H 5

3. any lauraceous aromatic shrub or tree of the genus Lindera , esp L. benzoin (spicebush)

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benzoin Scientific  

/ bĕn′zō-ĭn,-zoin′ /

1. A resin obtained from the bark of certain tropical Asian trees of the genus Styrax and used in making perfumes and in medicine as an antiseptic.

2. A very toxic white or yellowish crystalline compound derived from benzaldehyde. It oxidizes easily and is used as a reducing agent. Chemical formula: C ₁₄ H ₁₂ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of benzoin¹

1550–60; earlier benjoin < Middle French < Portuguese beijoim and Spanish benjuí < Arabic lubān jāwī frankincense of Java ( lu- probably constructed as the definite article); z of benzoin < Italian benzoi ≪ Arabic

Origin of benzoin²

benzo- + -in ²

Example Sentences

The new oil includes olive oil scented with a mix of essential oils, sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli and benzoin, with orange blossom also added.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2023

California Dream, which is composed of mandarin, ambrette and vanilla-tinged benzoin, retails for $265, and the Israel-designed case is $625.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2020

The local inspector wants to slice off a piece of the forest where they harvest benzoin – a substance like frankincense – and give it to a large pulp company.

From The Guardian • Sep. 4, 2017

Inhalation of medicated steam, especially if it contains benzoin, is valuable too.

From Time Magazine Archive

Its head is placed near the foot of the figure, and benzoin and camphor are waved.

From Omens and Superstitions of Southern India by Thurston, Edgar