mastic

plural mastics · alternative mastich · alternative mastiche · alternative mastick

1. countableuncountableAn evergreen shrub or small tree, Pistacia lentiscus (mastic tree), native to the Mediterranean.

   The island of Scio is now called by the Greeks Kio [Χιο], the antient Greek name of it was Chios [Χιος]; it was first called Ætalia in very antient times, and also Mastic, on account of the great number of mastic trees that were in this island.

   1745, Richard Pococke, A Description of the East, and Some other Countries, Volume II, Book I, Chapter 1

   Synonyms: lentiscus, lentisk

2. countableuncountableA hard, brittle, aromatic and transparent resin produced by this tree and used to make varnishes and chewing gum, and as a flavouring.

   Aromatics were used, too, especially in necromancy, and an old recipe of that sort comprises Musk, Myrrh, Frankincense, Red Storax, Mastick, Olibanum, Saffron, Benzoin and Labdanum.

   1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 112

   3 more examples

   The mastic, of which the people of Scio gather every year an incredible quantity, is a very rich gum, made use of in medicines, which distils from a shrub called, in Latin, Lentiscus.

   1799, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, Voyage Performed by the Late Earl of Sandwich Round the Mediterranean in the Years 1738 and 1739, Written by Himself, pages 317–318

   Having taken upon me to order the repast, and knowing that Lord Byron, for the last two days, had done nothing towards sustenance, beyond eating a few biscuits and (to appease appetite) chewing mastic, I desired that we should have a good supply of, at least, two kinds of fish.

   1830, Thomas Moore, Letters and Journals of Lord Byron: with Notices of his Life, volume I, New York: J. & J. Harper, page 402

   1834, James Augustus St. John, Egypt and Mohammed Ali, or Travels in the Valley of the Nile, London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green & Longman, Volume I, Chapter 132, pp. 322-323, […] in many harems, the women are in the habit of burning mastic on a small chaffing-dish, and holding the mouth of the jars over the smoke; by which means they communicate to them a scent which perfumes the water for eight or ten days, at the expiration of which the operation must be repeated.

   Synonyms: tears of Chios

3. countableuncountableAn alcoholic liquor flavoured with this resin.

   He took a list from the desk and read aloud Fatima’s offerings:— […] four bottles of rare mastic from Scio.

   1913, Marjorie Bowen, A Knight of Spain, Part II, Chapter 6

4. CommonwealthEnglishcountableespeciallyuncountableAny of various cements, usually flexible and waterproof, used as an adhesive, sealant, caulk, or filler.

   ‘They have a few holes here and there. A few. Tiny tiny.’ ‘We could fix those up easy. Mastic cement. Not expensive, boss.’

   1961, V. S. Naipaul, A House for Mr Biswas, Vintage International, published 2001, Part One, Chapter 5

1. A hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, United States.