Benzoin - Definitions from Dictionary.com

9 results for: Benzoin

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ben·zo·in1

Audio Help [ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in] Pronunciation Key

–noun

Also called gum benjamin, gum benzoin. a reddish-brown, aromatic balsamic resin occurring in almondlike fragments and having a vanillalike odor, obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, esp. S. benzoin, of Java, Sumatra, etc.: used in the manufacture of perfume and cosmetics and in medicine internally as an expectorant and externally as an antiseptic.

2.	Also called benjamin, benjamin-bush. any plant belonging to the genus Lindera (Benzoin), of the laurel family, including the spicebush and similar aromatic plants.

[Origin: 1550–60; earlier benjoin < MF < Pg beijoim and Sp benjuí < Ar lubān jāwī frankincense of Java (lu- prob. constructed as the definite article); z of benzoin < It benzoi ≪ Ar

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Benzoin

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ben·zo·in2

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–noun Chemistry.

a white, slightly water-soluble powder, C₁₄H₁₂O₂, derived by the condensation of benzaldehyde in the presence of potassium cyanide, and used in organic synthesis.

[Origin: benzo- + -in²

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ben·zo·in Audio Help (běn'zō-ĭn, -zoin') Pronunciation Key
n.

A balsamic resin obtained from certain tropical Asian trees of the genus Styrax and used in perfumery and medicine. Also called benjamin, gum benjamin, gum benzoin.
A white or yellowish crystalline compound, C₁₄H₁₂O₂, derived from benzaldehyde.

[Earlier benjoin, from French benjoin and Italian benzoino, both from Arabic lubān jāwī, frankincense of Java; see lbn in Semitic roots.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
benzoin

1558, from M.Fr. benjoin, via Sp., Port, or It., from Ar. luban jawi "incense of Java" (actually Sumatra), with lu probably mistaken in Romance languages for a definite article. The Eng. form with -z- is perhaps from influence of It. benzoi (Venetian, 1461).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

benzoin
noun
1.	gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation
2.	used in some classifications for the American spicebush and certain other plants often included in the genus Lindera

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

benzoin Audio Help (běn'zō-ĭn, -zoin') Pronunciation Key

A resin obtained from the bark of certain tropical Asian trees of the genus Styrax and used in making perfumes and in medicine as an antiseptic.
A very toxic white or yellowish crystalline compound derived from benzaldehyde. It oxidizes easily and is used as a reducing agent. Chemical formula: C₁₄H₁₂O₂.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: ben·zo·in
Pronunciation: 'ben-z&-w&n, -"wEn; -"zoin
Function: noun
1 : a hard fragrant yellowish balsamic resinfrom trees (genus Styrax of the family Styracaceae) of southeastern Asia used especially as an expectorant and topically to relieve skin irritations
2 : a white crystallinehydroxy ketone C₁₄H₁₂O₂ made from benzaldehyde
3 : a tree yielding benzoin

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Benzoin

Ben"ja*min\, n. [Corrupted from benzoin.] See Benzoin.

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

benzoin

benzoin: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary

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