Camphor \Cam"phor\, n. [OE. camfere, F. camphre (cf. It.
camfara, Sp. camfara, alcanfor, LL. camfora, camphara, NGr.
?), fr. Ar. k[=a]f[=u]r, prob. fr. Skr. karp[=u]ra.]
1. A tough, white, aromatic resin, or gum, obtained from
different species of the Laurus family, esp. from
Cinnamomum camphara (the Laurus camphara of
Linn[ae]us.). Camphor, C10H16O, is volatile and
fragrant, and is used in medicine as a diaphoretic, a
stimulant, or sedative.
2. A gum resembling ordinary camphor, obtained from a tree
(Dryobalanops camphora) growing in Sumatra and Borneo;
-- called also Malay camphor, camphor of Borneo, or
borneol. See Borneol.
Note: The name camphor is also applied to a number of bodies
of similar appearance and properties, as cedar
camphor, obtained from the red or pencil cedar
(Juniperus Virginiana), and peppermint camphor, or
menthol, obtained from the oil of peppermint.
Camphor oil (Chem.), name variously given to certain
oil-like products, obtained especially from the camphor
tree.
Camphor tree, a large evergreen tree (Cinnamomum
Camphora) with lax, smooth branches and shining
triple-nerved lanceolate leaves, probably native in China,
but now cultivated in most warm countries. Camphor is
collected by a process of steaming the chips of the wood
and subliming the product.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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