myrrh
myrrh Lexical Profile
myrrh Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A reddish-brown, bitter-tasting, and highly fragrant gum resin exuded from the bark of certain thorny trees of the genus Commiphora, historically prized for use in perfumes, incense, cosmetics, and embalming.
"Ancient trade routes carried precious shipments of frankincense and myrrh across the Arabian Desert to Mediterranean markets."
Any of several small, thorny trees or shrubs of the genus Commiphora (family Burseraceae), native to northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, from whose pierced bark aromatic gum resin is harvested.
"The hardy myrrh thrives in arid, rocky soils where few other trees can survive the intense heat."
A perennial herb of the carrot family (Myrrhis odorata), native to Europe and widely known as sweet cicely, having fern-like, anise-scented leaves used in cooking and herbal medicine.
"The gardener planted myrrh along the shaded border for its feathery foliage and sweet, licorice-like aroma."
• Rhymes for myrrh
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English myrre and Old French mirre, via Latin myrrha from Ancient Greek mýrrha, which was borrowed from a Semitic root (related to Hebrew mōr and Arabic murr) meaning 'bitter'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.