dragon's blood

American  

noun

1. a deep-red, water-insoluble resin exuding from the fruit of a palm, Daemonorops draco, of the Malay Archipelago, used chiefly in the preparation of varnishes and in photoengraving for protecting certain areas of the metal plate from the acid.

2. any of various similar resins from other trees.

3. Pompeian red.

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dragon's blood British  

noun

1. a red resinous substance obtained from the fruit of a Malaysian palm, Daemonorops (or Calamus ) draco: formerly used medicinally and now used in varnishes and lacquers

2. any of several similar resins obtained from other trees, esp from the dragon tree and a related species, Dracaena cinnabari (Socotra dragon's blood dracaena)

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Etymology

Origin of dragon's blood

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

When doing a cleansing ritual at someone’s home, Vargas will use dragon’s blood to either dispel heaviness or bring in love; she uses white copal to invite spirits back in.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2022

Of the blends, there’s Iré Ayé, which mixes patchouli, palo santo, frankincense powder and dragon’s blood, ingredients that together “manifest monetary abundance and encourage a magical rain of riches.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2022

Legendary hero Siegfried was also said to have gained near immortality after bathing in the dragon's blood.

From Reuters • May 19, 2022

Prized in varnishes, pharmacy, 12,034 lbs. of dragon's blood were imported in 1911; 58,000 lbs. in 1923.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I heard dragon’s blood gave a person special powers,” Dobrynya said.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack