Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mastic?

\Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr. ? to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also {mastich}.] 1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus {Pistacia} ({P. Lentiscus}), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, {mastic tree}. 2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes. 3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc. {Barbary mastic} (Bot.), the {Pistachia Atlantica}. {Peruvian mastic tree} (Bot.), a small tree ({Schinus Molle}) with peppery red berries; -- called also {pepper tree}. {West Indian mastic} (Bot.), a lofty tree ({Bursera gummifera}) full of gum resin in every part.