benzoin

ben·zo·in  (bnz-n, -zoin)

n.

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.

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[Earlier benjoin, from French benjoin and Italian benzoino, both from Arabic lubn jw, frankincense of Java; see lbn in Semitic roots.]

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benzoin [ˈbɛnzɔɪn -zəʊɪn bɛnˈzəʊɪn]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) 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. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a white or yellowish crystalline compound with a camphor-like odour used as an antiseptic and flavouring; 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone. Formula: C₆H₅CHOHCOC₆H₅

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any lauraceous aromatic shrub or tree of the genus Lindera, esp L. benzoin (spicebush)

[from French benjoin, from Old Catalan benjui, from Arabic lubān jāwī, literally: frankincense of Java]

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benzoin  (bnz-n, -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: C₁₄H₁₂O₂.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	benzoin - gum resin used especially in treating skin irritation asa dulcis, benjamin, gum benjamin, gum benzoin gum resin - a mixture of resin and gum
	2.	Benzoin - used in some classifications for the American spicebush and certain other plants often included in the genus Lindera genus Benzoin magnoliid dicot genus - genus of dicotyledonous flowering plants regarded as among the most primitive of extant angiosperms family Lauraceae, Lauraceae, laurel family - a family of Lauraceae