mastic

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmastɪk/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] an aromatic gum or resin which exudes from the bark of a Mediterranean tree, used in making varnish and chewing gum and as a flavouring: incense made from sandalwood, eagle-wood, mastic and cloves
  • 2 (also mastic tree) the bushy evergreen Mediterranean tree which yields mastic and has aromatic leaves and fruit, closely related to the pistachio.
    • Pistacia lentiscus, family Anacardiaceae
  • used in names of trees that are similar or related to the mastic tree, e.g. American mastic.
  • 3 [mass noun] a putty-like waterproof filler and sealant used in building: run a bead of mastic along the gap [as modifier]: a mastic sealant [count noun]: use a mastic between the joints

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French and Latin from Greek mastikhē (perhaps from mastikhan 'masticate')