Main Entry:

cam·phor

Pronunciation:

\ˈkam(p)-fər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English caumfre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic kāfūr, from Malay kapur

Date:

14th century

: a tough gummy volatile aromatic crystalline compound C₁₀H₁₆O obtained especially from the wood and bark of the camphor tree and used as a liniment and mild topical analgesic in medicine, as a plasticizer, and as an insect repellent ; also : any of several similar compounds (as some terpene alcohols and ketones)

— cam·pho·ra·ceous \ˌkam(p)-fə-ˈrā-shəs\ adjective