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Glite Dictionary
Myroxylon pereirae

Myroxylon pereirae

9.9
A tree from Central and South America that produces a fragrant resin used in perfumes and medicines
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Myroxylon pereirae
  • The aromatic resin of Myroxylon pereirae has been valued for centuries in traditional medicine.

Examples

  • Many perfumes contain extracts from Myroxylon pereirae.

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

  • Myroxylon pereirae is commonly used as a source for balsam in the perfume industry.

  • When visiting Central America, we saw a grove of Myroxylon pereirae thriving in the warm climate.

  • Myroxylon pereirae is widely sought after for its aromatic balsam, which is essential in many perfumes.

  • The resin obtained from Myroxylon pereirae is often used in herbal medicines for its therapeutic properties.

  • In the forests of South America, Myroxylon pereirae can be found, where its fragrant resin attracts many collectors.

Synonyms

Peruvian balsam
vsMyroxylon pereirae
  • US
9.2

A South and Central American tree that makes a sticky resin used in perfume and medicine

has identical meaning but is the scientific botanical name
Myroxylon balsamum pereirae
vsMyroxylon pereirae
  • Specialized
9.9

A tree from Central and South America that makes a strong smelling resin used in perfumes and flavorings

refers to the same tree but stresses medicinal use rather than flavoring

Surface Forms

Myroxylon pereirae singular
Myroxylon pereiraes plural

Morphology

Myroxylon + pereirae

This is a botanical Latin binomial: the genus name indicates a kind of tree but the species epithet 'pereirae' is an arbitrary Latinized name (and not a meaningful English word), so the full sense 'a specific tree yielding aromatic balsam' cannot be compositionally derived. Even knowing 'Myroxylon' (resin-producing trees) would only suggest it is a kind of tree, not the particular uses, origin, or properties denoted in the definition, making it non-compositional for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Myroxylon pereirae has a name from old words that mean 'perfume' and 'wood', which makes an easy picture: Myroxylon as 'perfume wood'. This helps you remember that the tree produces a sticky, sweet-smelling sap. That's why its sap, called 'balsam', was used in perfumes and 'medicine'.