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n. 1. A brownish aromatic resin used in perfume and medicine and obtained from any of several trees of the genus Liquidambar, especially L. orientalis, of Turkey. Also called styrax. 2. a. See snowbell. b. An aromatic resin obtained from a Mediterranean species of snowbell. Also called styrax. [Middle English, from Latin, alteration of styrax, from Greek sturax, perhaps of Semitic origin; see rw in the Appendix of Semitic roots.] |
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