camphor

[kam-fer]

noun Chemistry, Pharmacology.

a whitish, translucent, crystalline, pleasant-odored terpene ketone, C10H16O, 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.

any substance having medicinal or aromatic characteristics similar to those of camphor.

Origin of camphor

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

Related formscam·phor·a·ceous

[kam-fuh-rey-shuh s] /ˌkæm fəˈreɪ ʃəs/, adjectivecam·phor·ic

[kam-fawr-ik, -for-] /kæmˈfɔr ɪk, -ˈfɒr-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for camphor

Contemporary Examples of camphor

Imperial Kitchen, a restaurant in Hong Kong, makes my favorite version: smoked Peking duck with camphor wood spices.
Fresh Picks
Susur Lee
December 8, 2009

Historical Examples of camphor

Dissolve in the mixture three quarters of an ounce of yellow wax, and one dram of camphor, stirring the whole well together.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
A room gloomy with black walnut and fragrant with camphor was dimly visible.
Keziah Coffin
Joseph C. Lincoln
The beds were not made, and a strong odor of valerian and camphor flooded the air.
Melomaniacs
James Huneker
Assafœtida and camphor were useful, and were administered in boluses.
North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826
Various
In the air there was a faint odor of skins, dried herbs, sandalwood, and camphor.
Sacrifice
Stephen French Whitman

British Dictionary definitions for camphor

camphor

noun

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

Derived Formscamphoric (kæmˈfɒrɪk), adjective

Word Origin for camphor

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for camphor

substance extensively used in medicine, early 14c., caumfre, from Old French camphre, from Medieval Latin camfora, from Arabic kafur, perhaps via Sanskrit karpuram, from Malay kapur "camphor tree." Related: Camphorated.

camphor in Medicine

camphor

[kăm′fər]

n.

An aromatic crystalline compound obtained from the wood or leaves of the camphor tree or synthesized and used as an insect repellent and in external preparations to relieve mild pain and itching.

camphor in Science

camphor

[kăm′fər]

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: C10H16O.