mastic

[ mas-tik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Also called mastic tree, a small Mediterranean tree, Pistacia lentiscus, of the cashew family, that is the source of an aromatic resin used in making varnish and adhesives.
any of several similar or related trees, as a pepper tree, Schinus molle, of western South America.
the resin obtained from the mastic.
any similar resin, especially one yielded by other trees of the same genus.
Building Trades.
1. any of various preparations containing bituminous materials and used as an adhesive or seal.
2. a pasty form of cement used for filling holes in masonry or plaster.

mastic

/ ˈmæstɪk /

an aromatic resin obtained from the mastic tree and used as an astringent and to make varnishes and lacquers
mastic tree
mastic tree
1. a small Mediterranean anacardiaceous evergreen tree, Pistacia lentiscus, that yields the resin mastic
2. any of various similar trees, such as the pepper tree
any of several sticky putty-like substances used as a filler, adhesive, or seal in wood, plaster, or masonry
a liquor flavoured with mastic gum

Origin of mastic¹

1350–1400; Middle English mastyk < Latin mastichē < Greek mastíchē chewing gum, akin to mastichân to gnash the teeth

Origin of mastic¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin mastichum, from Latin, from Greek mastikhē resin used as chewing gum; from mastikhan to grind the teeth

Now then if thou sawest her, tell me under what tree thou sawest them conversing together: He said: Under a mastic tree.

Take half an ounce each of oil of mastic, myrtle, and quinces; a drachm each of fine bole and troch.

We may infer from one of his statements that he had, at some time, been at Scio observing the making of mastic.

Whistler told us that he used a medium composed of copal, mastic, and turpentine.

The sphere is of wood, the surface of which is covered with mastic or varnish, and on this the map has been drawn.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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