mastic
mastic Lexical Profile
mastic Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various pasty, waterproof, and flexible sealing compounds or adhesives used in construction and masonry to fill joints, bond tiles, or seal surfaces.
"The contractor applied a waterproof mastic around the window frames to prevent moisture from seeping inside."
An aromatic, yellowish resin exuded from the bark of the Mediterranean mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), traditionally chewed as gum and used as a culinary flavoring in ice cream, pastries, and liqueurs, as well as in varnishes and adhesives.
"She added a pinch of finely ground mastic to give the traditional Greek bread its distinctive pine-like aroma."
An evergreen shrub or small tree of the cashew family (Pistacia lentiscus), native to the Mediterranean basin and cultivated especially on the Greek island of Chios for its aromatic resin; also applied to certain tropical American trees such as the false mastic (Sideroxylon foetidissimum).
"Groves of ancient mastic grow across the rocky hillsides of southern Chios."
The small, edible yellow or drupaceous fruit produced by the tropical American false mastic tree (Sideroxylon foetidissimum) or related mastic species, having a gummy, mildly sweet pulp.
"Birds and local wildlife frequently feed on the ripe yellow mastic when the trees fruit in spring."
A traditional Greek and Eastern Mediterranean liqueur or distilled spirit flavored with mastic resin.
"After dinner, our host poured everyone a small chilled glass of sweet mastic."
• adjective
Of a pale yellowish-beige or light putty color resembling natural mastic resin.
"The interior designer chose a warm mastic shade for the living room walls."
• Rhymes for mastic
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French and Late Latin mastichum from Ancient Greek mastikhē ('mastic gum'), related to masthax ('jaws, chewing gum') and ultimately to the verb mastakzein ('to chew'), referencing the ancient Mediterranean practice of chewing the aromatic resin to sweeten the breath.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.