benzoin

¹ American  

[ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in] / ˈbɛn zoʊ ɪn, -zɔɪn, bɛnˈzoʊ ɪn /

noun

1. Also called gum benjamin.  Also called gum benzoin.  a reddish-brown, aromatic balsamic resin occurring in almondlike fragments and having a vanillalike odor, obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, especially 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.

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benzoin ² American  

[ben-zoh-in, -zoin, ben-zoh-in] / ˈbɛn zoʊ ɪn, -zɔɪn, bɛnˈzoʊ ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, slightly water-soluble powder, C 14 H 12 O 2 , derived by the condensation of benzaldehyde in the presence of potassium cyanide, and used in organic synthesis.

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benzoin British  

/ bɛnˈzəʊɪn, -zəʊɪn, ˈbɛnzɔɪn /

noun

1. Also called: benjamin.  a gum resin containing benzoic acid, obtained from various trees of the genus Styrax , esp S. benzoin of Java and Sumatra, and used in ointments, perfume, etc

2. a white or yellowish crystalline compound with a camphor-like odour used as an antiseptic and flavouring; 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone. Formula: C 6 H 5 CHOHCOC 6 H 5

3. any lauraceous aromatic shrub or tree of the genus Lindera , esp L. benzoin (spicebush)

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benzoin Scientific  

/ bĕn′zō-ĭn,-zoin′ /

1. 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.

2. A very toxic white or yellowish crystalline compound derived from benzaldehyde. It oxidizes easily and is used as a reducing agent. Chemical formula: C ₁₄ H ₁₂ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of benzoin¹

1550–60; earlier benjoin < Middle French < Portuguese beijoim and Spanish benjuí < Arabic lubān jāwī frankincense of Java ( lu- probably constructed as the definite article); z of benzoin < Italian benzoi ≪ Arabic

Origin of benzoin²

benzo- + -in ²

Example Sentences

The new oil includes olive oil scented with a mix of essential oils, sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli and benzoin, with orange blossom also added.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2023

California Dream, which is composed of mandarin, ambrette and vanilla-tinged benzoin, retails for $265, and the Israel-designed case is $625.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2020

The local inspector wants to slice off a piece of the forest where they harvest benzoin – a substance like frankincense – and give it to a large pulp company.

From The Guardian • Sep. 4, 2017

Aniline will make lipstick indelible; benzoin makes it kissproof.

From Time Magazine Archive

Such tinctures are those of assafœtida, benzoin, cannabis indica, cantharides, castor, cubebs, lavender, myrrh, pyrethrum, sumbul, tolu and ginger.

From Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why What Medical Writers Say by Allen, Martha Meir