tolu

[taw-loo, tuh-]

noun

1. Also called balsam of tolu. Also called tolu balsam,. Also called tolu resin. a fragrant, yellowish-brown balsam or resin obtained from a South American leguminous tree, Myroxylon balsamum, and used in medicine as a stomachic and expectorant, and in perfumery.

2. the tree itself.

tolu

/ tɒˈluː /

noun

1. an aromatic balsam obtained from a South American tree, Myroxylon balsamum See balsam

Word History and Origins

Origin of tolu¹

First recorded in 1665–75; after Tolú (now Santiago de Tolú) in Colombia, where balsam is obtained

Word History and Origins

Origin of tolu¹

C17: after Santiago de Tolu, Colombia, from which it was exported

Example Sentences

Bacchus kindly consented, and ordered him to bathe in the river Pac´tolus.

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Anti-freckle Lotion, 1.—Take tincture of benzoin, 2 ounces; tincture of tolu, 1 ounce; oil of rosemary, � a drachm.

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To Remove Freckles and Tan.—Tincture of benzoin, one pint; tincture of tolu, one-half pint; oil rosemary, one-half ounce.

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Cattle products, and balsam of tolu are purchased mainly in the United States.

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Later, with the view of soothing the pain of the cough, and favouring expectoration, mixtures of tolu, with the addition of some opiate, such as the ordinary paregorics, may be advantageously employed.

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