1. a tall, aromatic tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, of the eastern U.S., having star-shaped leaves and fruits in rounded, burlike clusters.
2. the hard reddish-brown wood of this tree, used for making furniture.
3. the amber balsam exuded by this tree, used in the manufacture of perfumes and medicines. Also called red gum (for defs. 1, 2).
[ 1690-1700, Amer. ]