n.
Pronunciation: ' sto ̇ r- ˌ aks
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin, alteration of Latin styrax, from Greek
Date: 14th century
1 a : a fragrant balsam obtained from the bark of an Asian tree ( Liquidambar orientalis ) of the witch-hazel family that is used as an expectorant and sometimes in perfumery ― called also Levant storax b : a balsam from the sweet gum that is similar to storax
2 : any of a genus ( Styrax of the family Styracaceae, the storax family) of trees or shrubs with usually hairy leaves and white flowers in drooping racemes ― compare BENZOIN