liquidambar

noun

liq·​uid·​am·​bar ˌli-kwə-ˈdam-bər 

1

: storax sense 1b

2

: any of a genus (Liquidambar) of deciduous North American and Asian trees (such as the sweet gum) of the witch-hazel family with monoecious flowers and a spiny globose fruit composed of many woody capsules each having two carpels

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin liquidus + Medieval Latin ambar, ambra amber

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

liquidambar

noun

liq·​uid·​am·​bar ˌlik-wə-ˈdam-bər 

1

a

capitalized : a genus of trees of the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae) with a spiny globose fruit that is a cluster of many woody capsules

b

: any tree of the genus Liquidambar

2

: storax sense 2