galbanum

noun

gal·​ba·​num ˈgal-bə-nəm  ˈgȯl- 

: a yellowish to green or brown aromatic bitter gum resin derived from any of several Asian plants (such as Ferula galbaniflua) and used in incense

Examples of galbanum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peña’s scents Cowboy, a bright, grassy citrus fragrance, and Cowgirl, a woody white floral one, are odes to the ranches, farms and rodeos of his youth, with ingredients like cedar, cinnamon and galbanum. —Caitie Kelly, New York Times, 5 June 2023

Finally, there’s Pomelo, a clean and crisp scent that blends bright citrus with sandalwood, white florals, and green and woody galbanum. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

Top notes of pink pepper, grapefruit and galbanum enrich the nose with a spicy, sweet scent. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

Cedar, mandarin, and galbanum instill the oil with a warm brightness that cuts through the oud's inherent heaviness, while top notes like pink pepper and bergamot add sparkle like a champagne float on a cocktail. —Taylore Glynn, Allure, 8 Dec. 2022

The heart of Indonesian oud, French lavender, and Bulgarian rose is topped with refined hints of Afghan saffron and white galbanum. —Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek chalbánē, borrowed from a Northwest Semitic source; akin to Hebrew ḥelbĕnāh "galbanum"

Note: Perhaps a derivative from Semitic *ḥlab "milk," though sense connection is not clear.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

galbanum

noun

gal·​ba·​num ˈgal-bə-nəm  ˈgȯl- 

: a yellowish to green or brown aromatic bitter gum resin derived from several Asian plants (genus Ferula and especially F. galbaniflua) of the family Umbelliferae and that resembles asafetida and has been used for similar medicinal purposes