camphor
camphor Lexical Profile
camphor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A white or transparent, waxy, crystalline compound with a strong, pungent aroma, originally distilled from the wood of the camphor laurel and used in topical medicines, liniments, insect repellents, and plastics.
"She stored the antique woolen blankets in a wooden chest lined with blocks of camphor to keep moths away."
A large, aromatic evergreen tree (Cinnamomum camphora) of the laurel family Lauraceae, native to East Asia and cultivated for its timber, shade, and volatile essential oil.
"The park's central avenue is shaded by ancient camphor trees whose crushed leaves release a distinct medicinal scent."
• verb
To treat, impregnate, or scent a substance or fabric with camphor.
"The apothecary carefully camphored the ointment to give it a soothing, cooling effect on sore muscles."
• Rhymes for camphor
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French camphre and Medieval Latin camphora from Arabic kafur, which ultimately derives from Sanskrit karpura and a Southeast Asian Austronesian or Austroasiatic source referring to the aromatic resin.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.