from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mastic \Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr.
? to chew, because of its being used in the East for
chewing.] [Written also {mastich}.]
[1913 Webster]
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}.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and
linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{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.
[1913 Webster]