rosin

plural rosins · alternative obsolete rosil · alternative obsolete rozin

1. countableuncountablechemistryA solid form of resin, obtained from liquid resin by vaporizing its volatile components.

   The action of the bow therefore depends almost entirely upon the application of rosin and upon its frictional properties. Violin rosin is a natural gum obtained from conifers such as larch that produce turpentine.

   1998, Neville H. Fletcher, Thomas Rossing, The Physics of Musical Instruments, 2nd edition, Springer Science & Business, →ISBN, page 284

   Synonyms: colophony, Greek pitch

2. countableuncountableResin.

   A thick, fat smoke oozed out from the fire, and a heavy smell of burned rosin and singed hair filled the air.

   1894 [1892], Arthur Conan Doyle, “Lot No. 249”, in Round the Red Lamp […]

   2 more examples

   ‘It is delicate,’ said Pansa, ‘but there is perhaps the least particle too much of rosin in its flavor.’

   1834, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], The Last Days of Pompeii. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Richard Bentley, […]; successor to Henry Colburn, →OCLC

   From three o'clock onward they would be burning rosin and pitch pine (the sign of preparation), and so one had the picturesque spectacle of a rank, some two or three miles long, of tall, ascending columns of coal-black smoke; […]

   1883, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], chapter 16, in Life on the Mississippi, Boston, Mass.: James R[ipley] Osgood and Company, →OCLC

present singular third person rosins · participle present rosining · participle past rosined · past rosined · alternative obsolete rosil · alternative obsolete rozin

1. transitiveTo apply rosin to (something); to rub or cover with rosin.

   We waited expectantly as the guest violinist rosined his bow in preparation for playing.

   1 more example

   The devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show." And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow.

   1979, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”, in Charlie Daniels, Tom Crain, "Taz" DiGregorio, Fred Edwards, Charles Hayward, James W. Marshall (lyrics), Million Mile Reflections, performed by Charlie Daniels Band

plural Rosins

1. A surname.