Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Camphor?

\Cam"phor\, n. [OE. camfere, F. camphre (cf. It. camfara, Sp. camfara, alcanfor, LL. camfora, camphara, NGr. ?), fr. Ar. k[=a]f[=u]r, prob. fr. Skr. karp[=u]ra.] 1. A tough, white, aromatic resin, or gum, obtained from different species of the {Laurus} family, esp. from {Cinnamomum camphara} (the {Laurus camphara} of Linn[ae]us.). Camphor, {C10H16O}, is volatile and fragrant, and is used in medicine as a diaphoretic, a stimulant, or sedative. 2. A gum resembling ordinary camphor, obtained from a tree ({Dryobalanops camphora}) growing in Sumatra and Borneo; -- called also {Malay camphor}, {camphor of Borneo}, or {borneol}. See {Borneol}. Note: The name camphor is also applied to a number of bodies of similar appearance and properties, as {cedar camphor}, obtained from the red or pencil cedar ({Juniperus Virginiana}), and {peppermint camphor}, or {menthol}, obtained from the oil of peppermint. {Camphor oil} (Chem.), name variously given to certain oil-like products, obtained especially from the camphor tree. {Camphor tree}, a large evergreen tree ({Cinnamomum Camphora}) with lax, smooth branches and shining triple-nerved lanceolate leaves, probably native in China, but now cultivated in most warm countries. Camphor is collected by a process of steaming the chips of the wood and subliming the product.
\Cam"phor\, v. t. To impregnate or wash with camphor; to camphorate. [R.] --Tatler.