n 1  :  a hard fragrant yellowish balsamic resin from trees (genus Styrax of the family Styracaceae) of southeastern Asia used esp. as an expectorant and topically to relieve skin irritations  2  :  a white crystalline hydroxy ketone C₁₄H₁₂O₂ made from benzaldehyde  3  :  a tree yielding benzoin .
 
    
 
Similar sounding terms:  ben·zene  ben·zo·[a]·py·rene 
 
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