The Collaborative International Dictionary
African bdellium
bdellium \bdel"lium\, n. [L., fr. Gr. bde`llion; cf. Heb. b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).]
An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (
--Gen. ii. 12, and
--Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia.-
A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa.
Note: Indian bdellium or false myrrh is an exudation from Balsamodendron Roxburghii. Other kinds are known as African bdellium, Sicilian bdellium, etc. [1913 Webster] ||
Usage examples of "african bdellium".
Four kinds are collected in Somaliland, making sub-divisions of African Bdellium: Perfumed Bdellium or Habaghadi, African Bdellium, Opaque Bdellium, Hotai Bdellium.