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mastic

- 6 dictionary results

mas⋅tic

[mas-tik]
–noun
1. Also called mastic tree, 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, esp. one yielded by other trees of the same genus.
5. Building Trades.
a. any of various preparations containing bituminous materials and used as an adhesive or seal.
b. a pasty form of cement used for filling holes in masonry or plaster.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME mastyk < L mastichē < Gk mastíchē chewing gum, akin to mastichân to gnash the teeth
mas·tic   (mās'tĭk)   
n.  
  1. The mastic tree.
  2. The aromatic resin of the mastic tree, used especially in varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, and condiments and as an astringent.
  3. A pastelike cement used in highway construction, especially one made with powdered lime or brick and tar.

[Middle English, mastic resin, from Old French mastich, from Latin mastichum, mastichē, from Greek mastikhē, chewing gum, mastic, from mastikhān, to grind the teeth.]

Mastic

Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr. ? to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also mastich.]

1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (P. Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.

2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.

3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.

Barbary mastic (Bot.), the Pistachia Atlantica.

Peruvian mastic tree (Bot.), a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree.

West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree (Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.
Language Translation for : mastic
Spanish: masilla,
German: der Kitt,
Japanese: パテ

mastic 
"resin obtained from certain trees," 1373, from O.Fr. mastic, from L.L. mastichum, from L. mastiche, from Gk. mastikhe, probably related to masasthai "to chew" (see mastication). The substance is used as a chewing gum in the East.

Main Entry: mas·tic
Pronunciation: 'mas-tik
Function: noun
: an aromatic resinous exudation obtained usually in the form of yellowish to greenishlustrous transparent brittle tears from incisions in a small southern European tree (Pistacia lentiscus) of the sumac family and used chiefly in varnishes (as for lining dental cavities)

mastic

aromatic resin, obtained as a soft exudation from incisions in mastic trees. It is used chiefly to make pale varnishes for protecting metals and paintings. When dispersed in bodied (thickened by heating) linseed oil, mastic is known as megilp and is used as a colour vehicle. Mastic is also used as an adhesive in dental work

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