I. ˈräz ə n also ˈrȯz-, dial ˈrȯzəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English rosin, rosine, modification of Middle French resine resin
: a translucent pale yellow or amber to dark red or darker brittle friable resin that is obtained from the oleoresin or dead wood of pine trees by removal of the volatile turpentine or from tall oil by removal of the fatty acid components, that contains abietic acid and other resin acids as principal components, and that is used in the unmodified form, in modified form (as hydrogenated rosin or polymerized rosin), or in the form of a derivative (as a salt or ester) chiefly in making varnishes, lacquers, printing inks, driers, sizes for paper, and soaps, in adhesives, binding materials, soldering fluxes, and polishes, and for rosining bows for violins and other string instruments — called also colophony ; see gum rosin , wood rosin
II. transitive verb
( rosined ; rosined ; rosining -z( ə )niŋ, dial -zəmiŋ ; rosins )
Etymology: Middle English rosinen, from rosin, rosine, n.
1. : to rub with rosin (as the bow of a violin)
2. : to add rosin in some form to (as soap)