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.

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

Mrs. Burton followed in December, with her entire fortune—a modest �300 in gold, and life promised to be all labdanum.

From The Life of Sir Richard Burton by Wright, Thomas

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