Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Mastic
Mas′tic
,Noun.
[F., fr. L.
mastiche
, mastichum
, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] 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
(Pistacia 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.