camphor
3
7.8
- noun
- /ˈkæmfər/
- Specialized
:
bálsamo
- There was a greenish residue in the bottom, an oily smear, which smelled vaguely of camphor, juniper, and weeds.
Examples
-
We keep him warm, use eucalyptus inhalations, and smear camphor on his tongue three or four times a day.
Fiction book (1995) -
A review of the package ingredients revealed that the main active ingredient is camphor 11%.
Academic text (2007) -
Have you any spirit of camphor?
-
Finally, I understand that he has been carrying a bar of camphor soap.
Fiction book (1998) -
Our patient's symptoms began soon after the use of the camphor patches, and she remained symptomatic during the twenty years of use.
Academic text (2007) -
Camphor has anti-inflammatory action and possibly acts in a similar way to corticotropic medications.
Academic text (2007) -
The doctor prescribed a cream that contains camphor to relieve her pain.
-
Many ointments use camphor for its soothing properties and strong scent.
-
Inhaling camphor vapors can help relieve congestion during colds.
Compounds
A plant with rough leaves and pale yellow flowers that gives off a strong smell
A very hairy plant with flowers that have no outer petals, native to the San Francisco Bay area
- Specialized
A strong-smelling oil used on the skin or in steam to ease breathing and add scent
- Archaic
A liquid made of alcohol and camphor used to rub on the skin or breathe in for cough relief
A large evergreen tree from East Asia with strong, spicy-smelling wood that people use for medicine and oil
- Specialized
A sweet-smelling substance used to give food and drinks a licorice taste
- Specialized
A clear solid used in perfumes, to preserve samples, and to stop fungus or kill germs
A plant from western United States with a strong smell and sticky resin on its leaves
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word camphor comes from old Asian words, Arabic kafur and Malay kapur, and before that from Sanskrit karpūra meaning 'camphor'. These names travelled with traders and healers, which is why camphor today is the white, strongly smelling substance used in medicine and to keep insects away.