liquidambar

noun

liq·​uid·​am·​bar ˌli-kwə-ˈdam-bər How to pronounce liquidambar (audio)
1
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of liquidambar was circa 1577

Dictionary Entries Near liquidambar

Cite this Entry

“Liquidambar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquidambar. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

liquidambar

noun
liq·​uid·​am·​bar ˌlik-wə-ˈdam-bər How to pronounce liquidambar (audio)
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!