'West Indian mastic' definitions:

Definition of 'West Indian mastic'

From: GCIDE
  • Mastic \Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr. ? to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also mastich.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Barbary mastic (Bot.), the Pistachia Atlantica.
  • Peruvian mastic tree (Bot.), a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree.
  • West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree ({Bursera gummifera}) full of gum resin in every part. [1913 Webster]