gumbo-limbo

gum·bo-lim·bo

 (gŭm′bō-lĭm′bō)

n. pl. gum·bo-lim·bos

An aromatic, resinous, tropical American tree (Bursera simaruba) having compound leaves and small white flowers, often planted as an ornamental.

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[Perhaps gumbo + limbo (possibly of Bantu origin; akin to Kongo -dimbo, birdlime).]

gum′bo-lim′bo

n., pl. -lim•bos.

a tropical American tree, Bursera simaruba, of the bursera family, yielding an aromatic resin used in varnishes.

[1830–40, Amer.; of uncertain orig.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

gumbo-limbo - tropical American tree yielding a reddish resin used in cements and varnishes Bursera simaruba incense tree - any of various tropical trees of the family Burseraceae yielding fragrant gums or resins that are burned as incense Bursera, genus Bursera - type genus of Burseraceae; tropical and subtropical American shrubs and trees some yielding timber and gum elemi