mastic

American  

[mas-tik] / ˈmæs tɪk /

noun

1. 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.

2. any of several similar or related trees, as a pepper tree, Schinus molle, of western South America.

3. the resin obtained from the mastic.

4. any similar resin, especially one yielded by other trees of the same genus.

5. Building Trades.

   1. any of various preparations containing bituminous materials and used as an adhesive or seal.

   2. a pasty form of cement used for filling holes in masonry or plaster.

---

mastic British  

/ ˈmæstɪk /

noun

1. an aromatic resin obtained from the mastic tree and used as an astringent and to make varnishes and lacquers

2. 1. a small Mediterranean anacardiaceous evergreen tree, Pistacia lentiscus, that yields the resin mastic

   2. any of various similar trees, such as the pepper tree

3. any of several sticky putty-like substances used as a filler, adhesive, or seal in wood, plaster, or masonry

4. 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

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

"This is a mastic joint, it allows the building to contract and expand," Colin says as he pulls it out of brickwork on the roof.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2024

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

They’re fashioned into elegant little blocks in four flavors: rose, citrus, mastic and pomegranate, coated with almonds, then covered with white or dark chocolate and dusted with gold leaf.

From New York Times • May 16, 2022

“Um, a mastic tree,” said one, and the other, “Well, gee, I guess it was a live oak.”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver