camphor
/ˈkamfə
/noun [mass noun]
A white volatile crystalline substance with an aromatic smell and bitter taste, occurring in certain essential oils.
- A terpenoid ketone; chemical formula: C10H17O.
- We suspect that the aromatic oils, camphor, menthol and eucalyptol, are responsible for the relief.
- Farjami, oppressed by the smell of camphor, which is used in the preparation of the body for burial, reminisces about the smell of jasmine, which brings to mind spring and fresh beginnings.
Derivatives
camphoric
/ adjective ...- It is grown in Java and Malaysia, and has a somewhat camphoric flavor.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French camphore or medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic kāfūr, via Malay from Sanskrit karpūra.