mastic
Americannoun
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Also called mastic tree,. Also called lentisk. a small Mediterranean tree, Pistacia lentiscus, of the cashew family, that is the source of an aromatic resin used in making varnish and adhesives.
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any of several similar or related trees, as a pepper tree, Schinus molle, of western South America.
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the resin obtained from the mastic.
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any similar resin, especially one yielded by other trees of the same genus.
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Building Trades.
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any of various preparations containing bituminous materials and used as an adhesive or seal.
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a pasty form of cement used for filling holes in masonry or plaster.
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noun
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an aromatic resin obtained from the mastic tree and used as an astringent and to make varnishes and lacquers
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a small Mediterranean anacardiaceous evergreen tree, Pistacia lentiscus, that yields the resin mastic
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any of various similar trees, such as the pepper tree
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any of several sticky putty-like substances used as a filler, adhesive, or seal in wood, plaster, or masonry
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a liquor flavoured with mastic gum
Etymology
Origin of mastic
1350–1400; Middle English mastyk < Latin mastichē < Greek mastíchē chewing gum, akin to mastichân to gnash the teeth
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.
The breaking point came after Chanel released an antiaging product called Blue Serum, advertised as being made from ingredients from the blue zones: green coffee from Costa Rica, olives from Sardinia, and mastic from Greece.
From Science Magazine • Nov. 20, 2024
Methods include using a machine called a Dragon Patcher and applying mastic asphalt.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2023
The size of the tile determines the size and shape of the notches in the trowel that spreads the mastic that holds the tile to the wall.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2022
Apply the mastic with a caulk gun, but smooth over the bead with a gloved hand, a brush or a putty knife to ensure the material fills the gap.
From Washington Post • Oct. 21, 2022
The hot black mastic sucking at their shoes and stretching in thin bands as they stepped.
From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
