Mas·tic n.  [Written also mastich.]
 1. Bot. A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.
 2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision.  The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.
 3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
 Barbary mastic Bot., the Pistachia Atlantica.
 Peruvian mastic tree Bot., a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree.
 West Indian mastic Bot., a lofty tree (Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.

 ◄ ►


 Birch n.; pl. Birches
 1. A tree of several species, constituting the genus Betula; as, the white or common birch (Betula alba) (also called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa); the paper or canoe birch (Betula papyracea); the yellow birch (Betula lutea); the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta).
 2. The wood or timber of the birch.
 3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.
 Note: ☞ The twigs of the common European birch (B. alba), being tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in schools. They were also made into brooms.
    The threatening twigs of birch.   --Shak.
 4. A birch-bark canoe.
 Birch of Jamaica, a species (Bursera gummifera) of turpentine tree.
 Birch partridge. Zool. See Ruffed grouse.
 Birch wine, wine made of the spring sap of the birch.
 Oil of birch. (a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European birch (Betula alba), and used in the preparation of genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor. (b) An oil prepared from the black birch (Betula lenta), said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for which it is largely sold.