liquidambar

[ lik-wid-am-ber, lik-wid-am- ]

/ ˈlɪk wɪdˌæm bər, ˌlɪk wɪdˈæm- /

noun

any tree of the genus Liquidambar, including the sweet gum.

the fragrant, yellowish, balsamic liquid exuded by this tree, used in medicine.Compare storax(def 2).

Nearby words

liquid protein, liquid storax, liquid x, liquid-crystal display, liquid-liquid chromatography, liquidambar, liquidate, liquidation, liquidator, liquidity, liquidity event

Origin of liquidambar

1590–1600; < New Latin: genus name. See liquid, amber

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for liquidambar

There is not a more characteristic tree known than the sweet-gum, or liquidambar.
Evolution|Joseph Le Conte
But as to the liquidambar, or sweet-gum, there can be no question.
Getting Acquainted with the Trees|J. Horace McFarland
But a word more about the liquidambar—the name by which I hope the tree we are discussing may be talked of and thought of.
Getting Acquainted with the Trees|J. Horace McFarland
Liquid storax or styrax preparatus, is a balsam yielded by Liquidambar orientalis, a native of Asia Minor.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2|Various

The coloring of the Liquidambar in the fall is very beautiful.
Woodcraft|Alan Douglas

British Dictionary definitions for liquidambar

liquidambar

/ (ˌlɪkwɪdˈæmbə) /

noun

any deciduous tree of the hamamelidaceous genus Liquidambar, of Asia and North and Central America, with star-shaped leaves, and exuding a yellow aromatic balsamSee also sweet gum

the balsam of this tree, used in medicineSee also storax (def. 1)

Word Origin for liquidambar

C16: New Latin, from Latin liquidus liquid + Medieval Latin ambar amber

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