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noun

myrrh

mur

Myrrh (noun) means a fragrant reddish-brown resin from certain trees, used in perfume, incense, and traditional medicine. Example: “The gifts of the Magi included gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

noun
1
A fragrant reddish-brown resin from certain trees, used in perfume, incense, and traditional medicine.
"The gifts of the Magi included gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
"She burned myrrh as incense during the ceremony."

How to use myrrh

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sweet-smelling tree resin long used in incense, perfume, and traditional remedies, famous from the Nativity story.

Common pairings
gold, frankincense, and myrrh myrrh resin

Word forms

myrrhs plural

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The gifts of the Magi included gold, frankincense, and _____.

Etymology

From Old English myrre, ultimately from a Semitic word related to "bitterness" — the same root behind the Arabic and Hebrew words for myrrh.

Origin: Old English

gum myrrh sweet cicely

Frequently asked questions

What does “myrrh” mean?

The word “myrrh” means a fragrant reddish-brown resin from certain trees, used in perfume, incense, and traditional medicine. In plain terms, a sweet-smelling tree resin long used in incense, perfume, and traditional remedies, famous from the Nativity story.

How do you pronounce “myrrh”?

“Myrrh” is pronounced mur ([mɝ] in IPA).

How do you use “myrrh” in a sentence?

Here is “myrrh” used in a sentence: “The gifts of the Magi included gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

What part of speech is “myrrh”?

“Myrrh” is a noun.

Where does the word “myrrh” come from?

The word “myrrh” comes from Old English. From Old English myrre, ultimately from a Semitic word related to "bitterness" — the same root behind the Arabic and Hebrew words for myrrh.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial