lindera benzoin
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- deciduous shrub of the eastern United States having highly aromatic leaves and bark and yellow flowers followed by scarlet or yellow berriesSynonyms: spicebushspice bushAmerican spicebushBenjamin bushBenzoin odoriferum
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Spicewood \Spice"wood`\, n. (Bot.) An American shrub (Lindera Benzoin), the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; -- called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever bush. [1913 Webster]
Allspice \All"spice`\, n. The berry of the pimento (Eugenia pimenta), a tree of the West Indies; a spice of a mildly pungent taste, and agreeably aromatic; Jamaica pepper; pimento. It has been supposed to combine the flavor of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves; and hence the name. The name is also given to other aromatic shrubs; as, the Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus); wild allspice (Lindera benzoin), called also spicebush, spicewood, and feverbush. [1913 Webster]
Benzoin \Ben*zoin"\ (b[e^]n*zoin"), n. [Cf. F. benjoin, Sp. benjui, Pg. beijoin; all fr. Ar. lub[=a]n-j[=a]w[imac] incense form Sumatra (named Java in Arabic), the first syllable being lost. Cf. Benjamin.]
Note: [Called also benjamin.]
1.A resinous substance, dry and brittle, obtained from the Styrax benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, Java, etc., having a fragrant odor, and slightly aromatic taste. It is used in the preparation of benzoic acid, in medicine, and as a perfume. [1913 Webster]
2.A white crystalline substance, C14H12O2, obtained from benzoic aldehyde and some other sources. [1913 Webster]
3.(Bot.) The spicebush (Lindera benzoin). [1913 Webster]
Flowers of benzoin, benzoic acid. See under Benzoic. [1913 Webster]