camphor Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a resin obtained from the camphor tree; used in making celluloid and liniment

WordNet

Cam"phor noun
Etymology
OE. camfere, F. camphre (cf. It. camfara, Sp. camfara, alcanfor, LL. camfora, camphara, NGr. ), fr. Ar. kafur, prob. fr. Skr. karpura.
Definitions
  1. A tough, white, aromatic resin, or gum, obtained from different species of the Laurus family, esp. from Cinnamomum camphara (the Laurus camphara of Linnæus.). Camphor, C10H16O, is volatile and fragrant, and is used in medicine as a diaphoretic, a stimulant, or sedative.
  2. A gum resembing ordinary camphor, obtained from a tree (Dryobalanops camphora) growing in Sumatra and Borneo; -- called also Malay camphor, camphor of Borneo, or borneol. See Borneol. ✍ The name camphor is also applied to a number of bodies of similar appearance and properties, as cedar camphor, obtained from the red or pencil cedar (Juniperus Virginiana), and peppermint camphor, or menthol, obtained from the oil of peppermint.
Cam"phor transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To impregnate or wash with camphor; to camphorate. R. Tatler.

Webster 1913