myrrh
noun
ˈmər 
: a yellowish-brown to reddish-brown aromatic gum resin with a bitter slightly pungent taste obtained from a tree (especially Commiphora abyssinica of the family Burseraceae) of eastern Africa and Arabia
also : a mixture of myrrh and labdanum
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web While the Leatherize fragrance enhancer includes richer notes of butterscotch and peppery cubeb over a base of animalistic (but vegan) castoreum and herbaceous myrrh, Parquet Leather literally smells like a bougie basketball. 
Austa Somvichian-clausen, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2022 Arrival involves warm hugs and intention setting around a clay pot of Himba myrrh. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2022 The vegan and cruelty-free scent is hexane-, paraben- and phthalate-free, and the musky spray boasts notes of cardamom, myrrh, jasmine, cedarwood, palo santo and other woodsy aromas for keeping chill on flights, road trips and more. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2022 The trial-and-error process involved ingredients like desert date oil, myrrh, cinnamon, and pine resin. Jane Recker, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2022 Rose de Chine utilizes yellow peonies grown in China’s Yunnan province alongside myrrh and cistus absolute to create an aura of mystery. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2022 Already, an 8-ounce can of Katy Perry’s De Soi Purple Lune drink, a fizzy tea with rose and myrrh that comes with outlandish health claims about balance and stress relief, can be yours for $6. Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 19 Apr. 2022 The warm, sensual aromas include sandalwood, cinnamon, cedar, vanilla, and myrrh. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Mar. 2022 Liquid myrrh was sometimes added to offset the tempera's rather pungent odor. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Dec. 2021 See More
Austa Somvichian-clausen, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2022 Arrival involves warm hugs and intention setting around a clay pot of Himba myrrh. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2022 The vegan and cruelty-free scent is hexane-, paraben- and phthalate-free, and the musky spray boasts notes of cardamom, myrrh, jasmine, cedarwood, palo santo and other woodsy aromas for keeping chill on flights, road trips and more. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2022 The trial-and-error process involved ingredients like desert date oil, myrrh, cinnamon, and pine resin. Jane Recker, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2022 Rose de Chine utilizes yellow peonies grown in China’s Yunnan province alongside myrrh and cistus absolute to create an aura of mystery. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2022 Already, an 8-ounce can of Katy Perry’s De Soi Purple Lune drink, a fizzy tea with rose and myrrh that comes with outlandish health claims about balance and stress relief, can be yours for $6. Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 19 Apr. 2022 The warm, sensual aromas include sandalwood, cinnamon, cedar, vanilla, and myrrh. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Mar. 2022 Liquid myrrh was sometimes added to offset the tempera's rather pungent odor. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English myrre, from Old English, from Latin myrrha, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Arabic murr myrrh
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
myrrh
noun
ˈmər
: a sticky brown fragrant material obtained from African and Arabian trees and used especially in perfumes or formerly in incense
Medical Definition
myrrh
noun
ˈmər
: a yellowish to reddish brown aromatic bitter gum resin that is obtained from various trees (genus Commiphora) especially of East Africa and Arabia (as C. myrrha or C. abyssinica) and has been used in the manufacture of dentifrices and as a carminative and a stimulating tonic compare bdellium