elemi

[ el-uh-mee ]

/ ˈɛl ə mi /

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noun, plural el·e·mis.

any of various fragrant resins from certain trees, especially Canarium commune, used chiefly in the manufacture of varnishes, lacquers, ointments, and in perfumery.

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Also called gum elemi.

Origin of elemi

1535–45; short for gum elemi<New Latin gummi elimī; compare Arabic allāmī the elemi

Words nearby elemi

Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary particle, elementary particles, elementary process, elementary school, elemi, Elena, elenchus, elenctic, Elenore, eleoptene

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use elemi in a sentence

The incised trunk exudes a gum-resin called brea blanca (white pitch) in the Philippines and elemi in Europe.
The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines|T. H. Pardo de Tavera
We believe that elemi possesses the same properties as copaiba, and that its indications for internal use are the same.
The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines|T. H. Pardo de Tavera
The elemi of the shops is often adulterated, but more frequently a factitious kind is sold for the genuine gum.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
Myrrh, frankincense, and the gum-elemi of commerce are among their products.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various

In this state they should be dressed with a little resin cerate or elemi ointment.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley

British Dictionary definitions for elemi

elemi

/ (ˈɛlɪmɪ) /

noun plural -mis

any of various fragrant resins obtained from tropical trees, esp trees of the family Burseraceae: used in making varnishes, ointments, inks, etc

Word Origin for elemi

C16: via Spanish from Arabic al-lāmi the elemi

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