resin

[ rez-in ]

/ ˈrɛz ɪn /

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noun

any of a class of nonvolatile, solid or semisolid organic substances, as copal or mastic, that consist of amorphous mixtures of carboxylic acids and are obtained directly from certain plants as exudations or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules: used in medicine and in the making of varnishes and plastics.

Also rosin . a substance of this type obtained from certain pines.

verb (used with object)

to treat or rub with resin.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of resin

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French resine, from Latin rēsīna, probably from a non-Indo-European language; compare Greek rhētī́nē “pine resin,” from a related source

OTHER WORDS FROM resin

res·in·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH resin

resin , rosin

Words nearby resin

resignee, resile, resilience, resilient, resilin, resin, resinate, resin duct, resiniferous, resinify, resinoid

Other definitions for resin (2 of 2)

Resin

[ rez-in ]

/ ˈrɛz ɪn /

noun

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use resin in a sentence

That’s because amber — fossilized tree resin — produces static electricity when you rub it against cloth.
Scientists Say: Piezoelectric|Bethany Brookshire|February 1, 2021|Science News For Students
Made of wool, wire and resin, Kohnstamm’s “Gravitas” suspends three organic-looking sacs from metallic discs in exquisite tension.
In the galleries: A towering exhibit offers a new definition of domestic life|Mark Jenkins|January 1, 2021|Washington Post
Although the shed has a wood look, the material is actually made of polypropylene resin plastic and steel—so rust, rot, and peeling paint will never be an issue.
The best outdoor tool sheds for all of your storage needs|PopSci Commerce Team|October 14, 2020|Popular-Science
Once they have found the source of the leak, they will patch it up with a kit using epoxy resin.
Astronauts on the ISS are hunting for the source of another mystery air leak|Neel Patel|September 30, 2020|MIT Technology Review

No matter where you fall, you have to admit this is a beautifully sculpted mug, with a cold cast resin tankard with stainless steel insert.
Coffee (or tea!) mugs that make for easy gifts|PopSci Commerce Team|September 29, 2020|Popular-Science
Dominic Ware has a scorpion encased in resin on a string around his neck.
Pushing for Justice at Walmart|Sally Kohn|December 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The artist smashed backboards, set them in resin, and welded them together in an aluminum circle.
The Best Things to See at Frieze Art Fair NY 2013|Isabel Wilkinson|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His employer was a certain subcontractor of Tepco, called Nito Resin.
Japan's Nuclear Ghost Towns|William T. Vollmann|May 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The piece itself was built from a wooden frame and then Jones and his team cast hundreds of swords out for fast cast resin.
Game of Thrones: 10 Secrets About HBO's Adaptation|Jace Lacob|April 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Snow-snakes were small rods of wood, polished smooth with resin, oil, or wax.
Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children|Mabel Powers
Experiments continuing through several weeks were made in applying solutions of this resin to rats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
An alcoholic solution of the resin was just neutralized with potassium hydroxide.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
An alcoholic solution of the resin gave the same color reactions with iron salts as did the potassium salt.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
On spontaneous evaporation of the solution, a yellow, sweet smelling resin was left.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme

British Dictionary definitions for resin

resin

/ (ˈrɛzɪn) /

noun

any of a group of solid or semisolid amorphous compounds that are obtained directly from certain plants as exudations. They are used in medicine and in varnishes

any of a large number of synthetic, usually organic, materials that have a polymeric structure, esp such a substance in a raw state before it is moulded or treated with plasticizer, stabilizer, filler, etcCompare plastic (def. 1)

verb

(tr) to treat or coat with resin

Derived forms of resin

resinous, adjectiveresinously, adverbresinousness, noun

Word Origin for resin

C14: from Old French resine, from Latin rēsīna, from Greek rhētinē resin from a pine

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

Scientific definitions for resin

resin

[ rĕz′ĭn ]

Any of numerous clear or translucent, yellowish or brownish substances that ooze from certain trees and plants. Resins are used in products such as varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, plastics, and drugs. Balsam is a resin.

Any of various artificial substances, such as polyurethane, that have similar properties to natural resins and are used to make plastics.

resin

Origin of resin

OTHER WORDS FROM resin

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH resin

Words nearby resin

Other definitions for resin (2 of 2)

Words related to resin

How to use resin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for resin

Derived forms of resin

Word Origin for resin

Scientific definitions for resin