labdanum

American

[lab-duh-nuhm] / ˈlæb də nəm /

noun

a resinous juice that exudes from various rockroses of the genus Cistus: used in perfumery, fumigating substances, etc.

labdanum British

/ ˈlæbdənəm /

noun

a dark resinous juice obtained from various rockroses of the genus Cistus, used in perfumery and in the manufacture of fumigants and medicinal plasters

"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

Etymology

Origin of labdanum

1350–1400; Middle English labdanum, lapdanum < Medieval Latin, for Latin lādanum < Greek lā́danon, akin to lêdon rockrose < Semitic

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.

See Examples For:

labdanum

Encased in a glossy black glass vessel, Owens’ candle is a mysterious blend of labdanum, myrrh, frankincense and ambergris.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025

When they cracked open the crust that formed beneath the flames, Ochando and his team found hot green leaves dripping with labdanum.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 22, 2024

They filled the hearth with young rockrose leaves, which are stickier and produce more labdanum than mature leaves.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 22, 2024

It’s called Ma Nishtana by Parfum Prissana, with notes of frankincense, labdanum, saffron, rose, smoke and leather.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2024

Then take the best labdanum, benjoin, with storaxes, ambergris, civet, and musk.

From Folk-lore of Shakespeare by Thiselton-Dyer, Thomas Firminger

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023