Main Entry: sto·rax

Pronunciation: \ˈstȯr-ˌaks\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin, alteration of Latin styrax, from Greek

Date: 14th century

1 a : a fragrant balsam obtained from the bark of an Asian tree (Liquidambar orientalis) of the witch-hazel family that is used as an expectorant and sometimes in perfumery —called also Levant storax b : a balsam from the sweet gum that is similar to storax
2 : any of a genus (Styrax of the family Styracaceae, the storax family) of trees or shrubs with usually hairy leaves and white flowers in drooping racemes — compare benzoin