lindera benzoin

4 definitions found

lindera benzoin - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

lindera benzoin - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Lindera benzoin
      n 1: deciduous shrub of the eastern United States having highly
           aromatic leaves and bark and yellow flowers followed by
           scarlet or yellow berries [syn: spicebush, spice bush,
           American spicebush, Benjamin bush, Lindera benzoin,
           Benzoin odoriferum]