castoreum
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of castoreum
< Latin < Greek kastórion, equivalent to kastor- (stem of kástōr ) beaver + -ion, neuter of -ios adj. suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago for their meat, furry water-resistant pelts and a substance they secrete called castoreum - used in food, medicine and perfume.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2025
Unfortunately, the demand for castoreum came at a cost.
From National Geographic ● Nov. 15, 2023
To mark their territory, both beaver species deposit mud piles on the ground and excrete castoreum on top.
From National Geographic ● Nov. 15, 2023
According to the 2022 book, castoreum can contain more than 75 different chemical compounds—an unusually high diversity.
From National Geographic ● Nov. 15, 2023
Three wagons were prepared—two of them loaded with furs and valuable castoreum.
From The Desert Home The Adventures of a Lost Family in the Wilderness by Reid, Mayne
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
