camphor

[ kam-fer ]

noun

, Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a whitish, translucent, crystalline, pleasant-odored terpene ketone, C 10 H 16 O, obtained from the camphor tree, used chiefly in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a counter-irritant for infections and in the treatment of pain and itching.
2. any substance having medicinal or aromatic characteristics similar to those of camphor.

camphor

/ kæmˈfɒrɪk; ˈkæmfə /

noun

1. a whitish crystalline aromatic terpene ketone obtained from the wood of the camphor tree or made from pinene: used in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a liniment and treatment for colds. Formula: C 10 H 16 O

camphor

/ kăm′fər /

1. A white, gumlike, crystalline compound that has a strong odor. Camphor is volatile and is used as an insect repellent and in making plastics and explosives. Chemical formula: C 10 H 16 O.

Derived Forms

• camphoric, adjective

Other Words From

• cam·phor·a·ceous [kam-f, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, s], adjective
• cam·phor·ic [kam-, fawr, -ik, -, for, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of camphor¹

1275–1325; < Medieval Latin, New Latin camphora ≪ Arabic kāfūr < Malay kapur chalk, lime, camphor; replacing Middle English caumfre < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of camphor¹

C15: from Old French camphre, from Medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic kāfūr, from Malay kāpūr chalk; related to Khmer kāpōr camphor

Example Sentences

“It reeks of mothballs and camphor and...squirrel. I like to have suffocated.”

From Literature

There was a final and unexpected challenge, when Pham and Solberg were forced to remove a large camphor tree that provided privacy and filtered shade in their backyard.

From Los Angeles Times

They chose instead to landscape their subdivisions, apartment complexes, business parks, shopping centers and roadways with nonnative trees, including sweet gums, camphor, carrotwood, fig, and ficus trees — all favored by parrots.

From Los Angeles Times

Awan said people often enjoy the cooling, tingling sensation from ingredients like peppermint oil, camphor and menthol, but they can cause irritation so you should avoid them.

From Seattle Times

This herb smells like anise — notes of lemon, pine, sage, black pepper and camphor abound.

From Salon