Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Mastic"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mastic \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. (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. 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. 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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
mastic
n 1: an aromatic exudate from the mastic tree; used chiefly in
varnishes
2: a pasty cement used as an adhesive or filler
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