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Sumatran benzoin

Sumatran benzoin

8.7
A fragrant sticky substance from trees that grow in Sumatra used in perfumes and medicine
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : benceno de Sumatra
  • The distinctive aroma of Sumatran benzoin makes it popular in high-quality perfumes.

Examples

  • Many perfumes contain Sumatran benzoin for its sweet scent.

  • Traditional medicine in Southeast Asia has made use of Sumatran benzoin for centuries.

  • Pharmacists often use Sumatran benzoin in the formulation of skin protectants.

  • The Sumatran benzoin is known for its rich aroma.

  • The distinctive aroma of Sumatran benzoin makes it popular in high-quality perfumes.

  • Pharmacists often use Sumatran benzoin in the formulation of skin protectants.

  • Traditional medicine in Southeast Asia has made use of Sumatran benzoin for centuries.

Synonyms

storax
vsSumatran benzoin
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A sticky plant substance with a sweet, vanilla-like smell used in perfumes and medicine

is the same fragrant resin but limited to one species and island
benzoin Sumatra
vsSumatran benzoin
  • Specialized
8.8

A fragrant sticky substance from a tree in Sumatra used in perfumes, incense, and medicines

is the exact same resin but named for that island's origin
benzoin
vsSumatran benzoin
  • Specialized
9.6

A sticky tree resin used to protect skin and scent perfumes

is narrower, referring only to resin from one species on one island
gum benzoin
vsSumatran benzoin
  • Specialized
9.6

A sticky substance from trees with a sweet scent used to protect skin and scent perfumes and incense

is the same aromatic resin but specifically from one species and island

Surface Forms

Morphology

Sumatran + benzoin

The noun phrase is a straightforward composition of 'Sumatran' (pertaining to Sumatra) + 'benzoin' (a resin), so its meaning — benzoin that comes from Sumatra — is directly derivable from the constituents. Place-adjective + product noun is a common, compositional pattern across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand this MWE.

Etymology

Sumatran benzoin comes from the island of Sumatra and the word benzoin names a sticky, sweet-smelling gum that people collect from certain trees. People have long used this gum in 'perfumes' and 'medicine', so the name now means 'a fragrant resin used in perfumes and medicines'.