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.
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Pis·ta·ci·a n. Bot. The name of a genus of trees, including the tree which bears the pistachio (Pistacia vera), the Mediterranean mastic tree (Pistacia Lentiscus), and the species (Pistacia Terebinthus) which yields Chian or Cyprus turpentine.
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