copaiba

[ koh-pey-buh, -pahy-buh ]

noun
  1. an oleoresin obtained from several tropical, chiefly South American trees belonging to the genus Copaifera, of the legume family, used chiefly in varnishes and lacquers, for removing old oil varnish from or for brightening oil paintings, and formerly in medicine in the treatment of certain mucous-membrane conditions.

Origin of copaiba

1
1705–15; <Spanish <Portuguese <Tupi cupaiba

Words Nearby copaiba

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How to use copaiba in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for copaiba

copaiba

copaiva (kəʊˈpaɪvə)

/ (kəʊˈpaɪbə) /


noun
  1. a transparent yellowish viscous oleoresin obtained from certain tropical South American trees of the leguminous genus Copaifera: used in varnishes and ointments: Also called: copaiba balsam, copaiba resin

Origin of copaiba

1
C18: via Spanish via Portuguese from Tupi

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