[Sca-cooks] online glossary

[jenne at fiedlerfamily.net]

> Benzoin

Styrax Benzoin, a tree resin. Now available as powdered resin and a
tincture. A perfume fixative. AKA gum benzoin, benjamin.

OED:


    1. A dry and brittle resinous substance, with a fragrant
odour and slightly aromatic taste, obtained from the
Styrax benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, Java, etc. It is used in
the preparation of benzoic acid, in medicine, and
extensively in perfumery. For scientific distinction it is
now termed gum benzoin. Also called by popular
corruption BENJAMIN.

  1558 WARDE Alexis' Secr. (1568) 3a, An unce of Bengewine. 1562
TURNER Herbal II. 30b, Belzoin or Benzoin is the rosin of a tree.
1601 HOLLAND Pliny I. 480 The herbe..(which beareth the gum
Benjoine) grew there first. 1616 BULLOKAR, Benzwine, a sweet
smelling gumme. 1616 SURFL. & MARKH. Countr. Farm 484 Your
hard gums, such as is frankincense, benjouin..and waxe. 1653
WALTON Angler (Arb.) 42 There is an herb Benione, which..makes
him (the Otter) to avoid that place. 1658 ROWLAND Mouffet's Theat.
Ins. 1000 Asa dulcis, Wine and Honey, or Benzoin dissolved in warm
water. 1671 GREW Anat. Plants I. 17 Benzoine, by Distillation
[yieldeth] Oyl; by Vstion, white Flowers. 1834 J. GRIFFIN Chem.
Recr. 117 Gum benzoin (or benjamin) is a prime constituent of
fumigating pastiles. 1875 JEVONS Money vii. 28 Cubes of benzoin,
gum or beeswax..are other peculiar forms of currency.


-- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa
jenne at fiedlerfamily.net OR jenne at tulgey.browser.net OR jahb at lehigh.edu
"Are you finished? If you're finished, you'll have to put down the spoon."