mastic

Meaning

1. An evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), 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. An alcoholic liquor flavoured with this resin.
4. Any of various cements, usually flexible and waterproof, used as an adhesive, sealant, caulk, or filler.

Synonyms

lentisk

putty

mastic tree

Pistacia lentiscus

caulk

resin

resins

rosin

sandarac

mastic gum

floor polish

floor wax

libanotus

libanus

mastich

mastiche

olibanoresin

mastix

copals

damars

dammars

gum kinos

kinos

pistachia galls

gum mastic

Mastiche

caulking

gum

olibanum

raki

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmæstɪk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: mastik

In summary

From Middle English mastik, from Old French mastic, from Latin mastiche, from Ancient Greek μαστίχη (mastíkhē), from μαστιχάω (mastikháō, “I chew”) (note the chewing gum sense). Related to masticate. The broad sense for cements came via extension from predecessor cements made with the tree's resin.