What is "mastic"

Mastic \Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr. ? to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also mastich.]

1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia ( Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.

2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.

3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.

   Barbary mastic (Bot.), the Pistachia Atlantica.

   Peruvian mastic tree (Bot.), a small tree ( Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree.

   West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree ( Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.

resin obtained from certain trees, late 14c., from Old French mastic (13c.) and directly from Late Latin mastichum, from Latin mastiche, from Greek mastikhe, of uncertain origin, probably related to masasthai "to chew" (see mastication). The substance is used as a chewing gum in the East.

n. 1 An evergreen shrub or small tree, ''Pistacia lentiscus'', native to the Mediterranean. 2 A hard, brittle, aromatic and transparent resin produced by this tree and used to make varnishes and chewing gum, and as a flavouring. 3 A flexible, waterproof cement used as an adhesive, sealant or filler.

1. n. an aromatic exudate from the mastic tree; used chiefly in varnishes

2. a pasty cement used as an adhesive or filler

Mastic may refer to:

Mastic was a station stop along the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It was located on the corner of Mastic Road and Mastic Boulevard at the Mastic Road grade-crossing, near the Fire Department and Mastic Seafoods.

Mastic is a resin obtained from the mastic tree ( Pistacia lentiscus). In pharmacies and nature shops, it is called "Arabic gum" (not to be confused with gum arabic) and " Yemen gum". In Greece, it is known as the "tears of Chios," being traditionally produced on that Greek island, and, like other natural resins, is produced in "tears" or droplets.

Originally a sap, mastic is sun-dried into pieces of brittle, translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum. The flavor is bitter at first, but after some chewing, it releases a refreshing, slightly pine or cedar-like flavor.

The word mastic is derived from the Greek verb, μαστιχειν (mastichein) "to gnash the teeth", which is the source of the English word masticate. The word mastic is a synonym for gum in many languages.