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Glite Dictionary
Myroxylon balsamum

Myroxylon balsamum

9.9
A medium tree from tropical America with hard fragrant wood and a scented liquid used in perfume and medicine
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Myroxylon balsamum
  • Tolu balsam, extracted from Myroxylon balsamum, is valued in perfumery and medicine.

Examples

  • The fragrant wood of Myroxylon balsamum is often used to make fine cabinetry.

  • Many artisans prefer Myroxylon balsamum for crafting fine furniture.

  • Many conservationists advocate protecting Myroxylon balsamum due to its ecological and economic importance.

  • The Myroxylon balsamum tree is known for its fragrant resin.

  • The fragrant wood of Myroxylon balsamum is often used to make fine cabinetry.

  • Many artisans prefer Myroxylon balsamum for crafting exquisite furniture.

  • Tolu balsam, extracted from Myroxylon balsamum, is highly sought after in perfumery.

Synonyms

tolu tree
vsMyroxylon balsamum
  • Specialized
9.9

A medium-sized South American tree that makes a fragrant sap and hard wood for fine furniture

is an alternative scientific name for the same tree
Myroxylon toluiferum
vsMyroxylon balsamum
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical American tree producing fragrant hard wood for fine furniture and tolu balsam for perfumes

refers to the same species under the other botanical name
tolu balsam tree
vsMyroxylon balsamum
  • Specialized
9.9

A medium tropical American tree with sweet-smelling sap used in perfume and fine wood for furniture

expresses the same species but calls the wood hard rather than durable

Surface Forms

Myroxylon balsamum singular
Myroxylon balsamums plural

Morphology

Myroxylon + balsamum

This is a Latin binomial: 'Myroxylon' denotes a resin-producing tree and 'balsamum' points to balsam, so a learner who knows both constituents could infer it names a balsam-producing tree. However, species names are technical Latinized proper nouns and 'balsamum' is not a common English word, so the sense is not fully predictable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Myroxylon balsamum may come from old words meaning myrrh and wood plus a word for balsam, giving the clear image of a tree whose wood smells of resin and produces fragrant sap. So the name helps you remember that this tree makes 'balsam' used in perfume and has fragrant, hard wood for fine furniture.