storax

[ stawr-aks, stohr- ]

noun

1. a solid resin with a vanillalike odor, obtained from a small tree, Styrax officinalis: formerly used in medicine and perfumery.
2. a liquid balsam liquid storax obtained from species of liquidambar, especially from the wood and inner bark of Liquidambar orientalis Levant storax, a tree of Asia Minor: used chiefly in medicine and perfumery.
3. any shrub or tree of the genus Styrax, of the storax family, having elongated clusters of showy, white flowers.

storax

/ ˈstɔːræks /

noun

1. any of numerous styracaceous trees or shrubs of the genus Styrax, of tropical and subtropical regions, having drooping showy white flowers
2. a vanilla-scented solid resin obtained from one of these trees, Styrax officinalis of the Mediterranean region and SW Asia, formerly used as incense and in perfumery and medicine
3. a liquid aromatic balsam obtained from liquidambar trees, esp Liquidambar orientalis of SW Asia, and used in perfumery and medicine

Word History and Origins

Origin of storax¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin, variant of styrax < Greek stýrax

Word History and Origins

Origin of storax¹

C14: via Late Latin from Greek, variant of styrax

Example Sentences

They wash the body of the deceased to that sad cadence, and perfume it with storax, and other perfumes which are used among them.

From Project Gutenberg

Styrax, stī′raks, n. a genus of plants abounding in resinous and aromatic substances, one species of which produces storax, another benzoin.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides he carried upon him scents of storax and benzoin.

From Project Gutenberg

The fragrant gum, storax or styrax, derived from forests of the oriental sweet gum in Asia Minor, is used as incense in temples of various oriental religions.

From Project Gutenberg

Benzoin, dragon's-blood, and storax are not true balsams, though sometimes called so.

From Project Gutenberg