[kam-fer] 
| 1. | a whitish, translucent, crystalline, pleasant-odored terpene ketone, C10H16O, obtained from the camphor tree, used chiefly in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a counter-irritant for infections and in the treatment of pain and itching. |
| 2. | any substance having medicinal or aromatic characteristics similar to those of camphor. |
[kam-fuh-rey-shuhs] , adjective [kam-fawr-ik, -for-] , adjective | cam·phor (kām'fər) n. An aromatic crystalline compound, C10H16O, obtained naturally from the wood or leaves of the camphor tree or synthesized and used as an insect repellent, in the manufacture of film, plastics, lacquers, and explosives, and in medicine chiefly in external preparations to relieve mild pain and itching. [Middle English caumfre, from Anglo-Norman, from Medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic kāfūr, possibly from Malay kapur; akin to Sanskrit karpūraḥ.] cam'phor·a'ceous (kām'fə-rā'shəs) adj., cam·phor'ic (-fôr'ĭk, -fŏr'-) adj. |
camphor cam·phor (kām'fər)
n.
An aromatic crystalline compound obtained from the wood or leaves of the camphor tree or synthesized and used as an insect repellent and in external preparations to relieve mild pain and itching.