benzoin

From Middle French benjoin, from Spanish benjuí, Portuguese beijoin, Italian benzoi, from Arabic لُبَان جَاوِيّ‎ (lubān jāwiyy, “Javanese frankincense”). The initial lu was probably lost because it was taken as the definite article in Romance. Compare oliban.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈbɛnzəʊɪn/, /ˈbɛnzɔɪn/

benzoin (countable and uncountable, plural benzoins)

1. A resinous substance, dry and brittle, obtained from the Styrax benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, Java, etc., having a fragrant odor, and slightly aromatic taste. It is used in the preparation of benzoic acid, in medicine, and as a perfume. [from 16th c.]
   • Francis Bacon

     These following bodies do not draw: smaragd, achates, corneolus, pearl, jaspis, chalcedonius, alabaster, porphyry, coral, marble, touchstone, haematites, or bloodstone; smyris, ivory, bones, ebontree, cedar, cypress, pitch, softer rosin, camphire, galbanum, ammoniac, storax, benzoin, loadstone, asphaltum.

2. (organic chemistry) An aromatic hydroxy ketone, 2-hydroxy-1,2-di(phenyl)ethanone, synthesized from benzaldehyde; any derivative of this compound. [from 19th c.]
3. The spicebush, Lindera benzoin. [from 19th c.]

• benjamin

• Benzion