- a volatile, crystalline ketone, CHO, with a strong characteristic odor, derived from the wood of the camphor tree or synthetically from pinene: used to protect fabrics from moths, in manufacturing cellulose plastics, and in medicine as an irritant and stimulant
- any of several derivatives of terpenes
Origin of camphorMiddle English camfre ; from Old French camphre ; from Medieval Latin camfora ; from Arabic kāfūr ; from Sanskrit karpuraḥ, camphor tree
A fragrant white or colorless crystalline ketone, C10H16O, obtained naturally from the wood of the camphor tree or synthesized from pinene and used as an insect repellent, in the manufacture of film, plastics, lacquers, and in medicine chiefly in external preparations to relieve mild pain and itching.
Origin of camphorMiddle English caumfre, from Anglo-Norman, from Medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic kāfūr, possibly from Malay kapur; akin to Sanskrit karpūra&hlowdot;.