ˈbenzəwə̇n, -ˌwēn, -ˌzȯin, ̷ ̷ˈzōən noun
Etymology: Middle French benjoin, from Old Catalan benjuí, from Arabic lubān jāwi frankincense of Java (probably confused with Sumatra)
1. -s : a balsamic resin that is obtained from various trees of the genus Styrax growing especially in Sumatra, Java, and Thailand, that appears in commerce in yellowish to brown hard brittle tears or masses having a fragrant odor, and that is used chiefly in treating irritations of the skin, as a stimulating expectorant, as a fixative in perfumes, and as incense
2. -s : a white crystalline hydroxy ketone C 6 H 5 COCHOHC 6 H 5 made usually by condensation of two molecules of benzaldehyde in the presence of potassium cyanide
3. -s : a tree yielding benzoin
4.
a. capitalized , in some classifications : a genus of aromatic shrubs comprising the American spicebush and certain other plants often included in the genus Lindera
b. -s : a plant of the genus Benzoin ; especially : spicebush 1