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liquidambar

[lik-wid-am-ber, lik-wid-am-]
noun
  1. any tree of the genus Liquidambar, including the sweet gum.
  2. the fragrant, yellowish, balsamic liquid exuded by this tree, used in medicine.Compare storax(def 2).
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for liquidambar

Historical Examples of liquidambar

  • But as to the liquidambar, or sweet-gum, there can be no question.

    Getting Acquainted with the Trees

    J. Horace McFarland

  • The coloring of the Liquidambar in the fall is very beautiful.

    Woodcraft

    Alan Douglas

  • The trees were the liquidambar styraciflua, sweet or red gum, and were sent from the South.

  • The sweet-gum, copalm, or alligator tree (Liquidambar styraciflua).

  • There is not a more characteristic tree known than the sweet-gum, or liquidambar.

    Evolution

    Joseph Le Conte

British Dictionary definitions for liquidambar

liquidambar

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