MASTIC

mastic. Mastic, n. a tree, a resin flowing from the mastic or tupentine tree, used in varnishing, a cement

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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.] 1. 1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (P. Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; — called also, mastic tree.
2. 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.
3. 3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
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.