[sto.rax] n [ME, fr. LL, alter. of L styrax, fr. Gk] (14c) 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 usu. hairy leaves and white flowers in drooping racemes--compare benzoin