olibanum

9.9

A sticky gum from certain trees that smells pleasant when burned and people use for incense and perfume

noun
/ˈoʊlɪˌbænəm/

: olíbano

The perfumer added olibanum to the blend, enhancing the fragrance with its rich, earthy aroma.

Examples

During the ritual, the priest burned olibanum to create a fragrant smoke that filled the temple.
The ancient Egyptians used olibanum in their embalming process to preserve bodies for the afterlife.
She did not catch the sharp scent of olibanum.

Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

frankincense

vsolibanum

8 9.6

Sticky gum from trees with a strong scent used as incense

is the traditional name often used more broadly for that resin

gum olibanum

vsolibanum

Specialized

9.9

A fragrant resin from trees burned as incense in religious ceremonies

is the broad aromatic resin used especially in incense and perfumes

thus

vsolibanum

Archaic

9.9

A strong smelling gum from trees burned in religious ceremonies

is the same resin but noted as an alternate name in sources

bdellium

vsolibanum

Specialized

9.9

A fragrant gum from trees used for perfume and incense

is the aromatic resin used chiefly in incense and perfumes rather than myrrh-like

gum elemi

vsolibanum

Specialized

9.9

A fragrant resin from trees used in incense, varnish, and perfume

is the aromatic resin mainly for incense and perfumes rather than varnish use

opopanax

vsolibanum

Archaic

9.9

A fragrant sticky gum from plants used long ago in medicine and perfumes

is now mainly valued for incense and perfumes rather than medical use

galbanum

vsolibanum

Specialized

9.9

A gum from some plants used in perfumes and incense with a strong bitter smell

is a fragrant resin used in rituals and perfumes with less bitter tone

Compounds

gum olibanum

Specialized

9.9

A fragrant resin from trees burned as incense in religious ceremonies

Surface Forms

olibanum singular

olibanums plural

Etymology

The word olibanum comes from Arabic al-lubān, meaning 'the milk', because the tree's pale resin looked like milk. It is the same thing as frankincense, so the name fits the scented gum burned as incense and used in ceremonies.