1. 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. 2. A white or yellowish crystalline compound, C14H12O2, derived from benzaldehyde.
ETYMOLOGY:
Earlier benjoin, from French benjoin and Italian benzoino, both from Arabic lubn jw, frankincense of Java. See lbn in Appendix II.
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n, -zoin
n j
, frankincense of Java. See lbn in Appendix II.
