| Storax | n. [ L. storax, styrax, Gr. &unr_;. Cf. Styrax. ] Any one of a number of similar complex resins obtained from the bark of several trees and shrubs of the Styrax family. The most common of these is liquid storax, a brown or gray semifluid substance of an agreeable aromatic odor and balsamic taste, sometimes used in perfumery, and in medicine as an expectorant. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ A yellow aromatic honeylike substance, resembling, and often confounded with, storax, is obtained from the American sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), and is much used as a chewing gum, called sweet gum, and liquid storax. Cf. Liquidambar. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Styrax | n. [ L. styrax, storax, Gr. &unr_;. See Storax. ] 1. (Bot.) A genus of shrubs and trees, mostly American or Asiatic, abounding in resinous and aromatic substances. Styrax officinalis yields storax, and Styrax Benzoin yields benzoin. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Same as Storax. [ 1913 Webster ] |