malabathrum

noun

mal·​a·​bath·​rum

ˌmaləˈbathrəm

plural -s

1

: the leaf of a plant (Cinnamomum malabathrum) used especially in making a perfumed ointment

2

: an ointment prepared from malabathrum

Word History

Etymology

Latin malabathrum, malobathrum, from Greek malabathron, modification of Sanskrit tamālapattra garcinia leaf, from tamāla garcinia (perhaps from tamas darkness) + pattra leaf, wing, feather; akin to Sanskrit patati he flies

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