Mastic
Mastic , noun
[French, from Latin mastiche, mastichum, Greek {not transcribed}, from {not transcribed} to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.]
1.
(Botany) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.
2.
A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.
3.
A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
Collocations (3)
Barbary mastic (Botany) , the Pistachia Atlantica.
Peruvian mastic tree (Botany) , a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree.
West Indian mastic (Botany) , a lofty tree (Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.