myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a yellowish-brown to reddish-brown aromatic gum resin with a bitter slightly pungent taste obtained from a tree (especially Commiphora myrrha of the family Burseraceae) of eastern Africa and Arabia

also : a mixture of myrrh and labdanum

Examples of myrrh in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its top note is violet—with palo santo, frankincense, and myrrh for that spicy kick. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2024

Mortel Noir is a unisex, limited edition parfum that surrounds senses in intense, spicy and mystical essences of Madagascar black pepper, incense, myrrh, and benzoin. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

The signature treatment is the Namibian Touch massage, which uses Namibian salt pearls, myrrh, and marula oils. —Mazuba Kapambwe, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2024

Design-forward Aesop’s trio includes three interior scents: Cythera, a blend of geranium, incense, patchouli and myrrh; Istros, a floral and tobacco scent; and the citrus-botanical-meets-cedar-and-cardamom Olous. —Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English myrre, from Old English, from Latin myrrha, from Greek, of Semitic origin; akin to Arabic murr myrrh

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a brown slightly bitter gum obtained from African and Arabian trees and used especially in perfumes or formerly in incense

Medical Definition

myrrh

noun

ˈmər 

: a yellowish to reddish brown aromatic bitter gum resin that is obtained from various trees (genus Commiphora) especially of East Africa and Arabia (as C. myrrha or C. abyssinica) and has been used in the manufacture of dentifrices and as a carminative and a stimulating tonic compare bdellium