noun
mastic
Mastic (noun) means an evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.
noun
1
An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.
2
A hard, see-through resin from this tree, used in varnish, chewing gum and flavouring.
"Aromatics were used, too, especially in necromancy, and an old recipe of that sort comprises Musk, Myrrh, Frankincense, Red Storax, Mastick, Olibanum, Saffron, Benzoin and Labdanum."
— Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art (1936)
3
A spirit flavoured with this resin.
4
A waterproof paste used as glue, sealant or filler.
"‘They have a few holes here and there. A few. Tiny tiny.’ ‘We could fix those up easy. Mastic cement. Not expensive, boss.’"
— V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas (1961)
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Etymology
The word came into English as Middle English mastik, from Old French mastic, from Latin mastiche, from Ancient Greek μαστίχη (mastíkhē), from μαστιχάω (mastikháō, “to chew”) — note the chewing sense behind chewing gum. Its broader use for cements came about by extension, from earlier cements made with the tree's resin. It is a doublet of mastika.
Synonyms
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lentisk
Rhymes for mastic
See all rhymes for mastic →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of mastic?
"mastic" (noun) means an evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.
What is another word for mastic?
Other words for "mastic" include lentisk.
What are the different meanings of mastic?
"mastic" has 3 main meanings: 1. An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean; 2. A hard, see-through resin from this tree, used in varnish, chewing gum and flavouring; 3. A spirit flavoured with this resin.
