n. A translucent yellowish to dark brown resin derived from the stumps or sap of various pine trees, composed chiefly of abietic acid and related compounds, and used to increase sliding friction, as on the bows of certain stringed instruments, and to manufacture a wide variety of products including varnishes, inks, linoleum, adhesives, and soldering compounds. Also called colophony. tr.v. ros·ined, ros·in·ing, ros·ins To coat or rub with rosin. [Middle English, variant of resin; see RESIN.] rosin·y adj. |
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