a transparent yellowish viscous oleoresin obtained from certain tropical South American trees of the leguminous genus Copaifera: used in varnishes and ointments
Also called: copaiba balsam, copaiba resin
Word origin
C18: via Spanish via Portuguese from Tupi
copaiba in American English
(koʊˈpeɪbə; koʊˈpaɪbə)
noun
1.
an aromatic resin obtained from certain South American trees (genus Copaifera) of the caesalpinia family: formerly used in medicine, now used in varnishes, etc.