Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The mastic-tree, Pistacia Lentiscus. See mastic-tree and Pistacia.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean region that is cultivated for its resin

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English lentiske, from Latin lentīscus.]

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Examples

  • From the lentisk bushes and the cypress of the north to the shingle sands of Skala in the south, from the underground lakes of Sami in the east to the vertiginous slopes of Petani in the west, Arsenios trudged and sermonised.

    Captain Corelli's Mandolin De Bernieres, Louis 2003

  • Barely a few dwarf plants could now be noticed, like those on the wild heaths of Scotland; then came the first tract of grayish sand and flint, with here and there a lentisk tree and brambles.

    Five Weeks in a Balloon 2003

  • He first prepared an ointment for Neoclides; he threw three heads of Tenian garlic into the mortar, pounded them with an admixture of fig-tree sap and lentisk, moistened the whole with Sphettian vinegar, and, turning back the patient's eyelids, applied his salve to the interior of the eyes, so that the pain might be more excruciating.

    Plutus 2000

  • Tenian [785] garlic into the mortar, pounded them with an admixture of fig-tree sap and lentisk, moistened the whole with Sphettian [786] vinegar, and, turning back the patient's eyelids, applied his salve to the interior of the eyes, so that the pain might be more excruciating.

    The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2 446? BC-385? BC Aristophanes

  • On lentisk leaves; or lie them down, ripe strawberries o'er their head.

    Theocritus, translated into English Verse 300 BC-260 BC Theocritus

  • Round about her were huddled the drowsy boys; on the slopes of the steep place where she lay she could see the goats browsing on lentisk and juniper, acanthus, bramble, mountain-ash.

    Little Novels of Italy Madonna Of The Peach-Tree, Ippolita In The Hills, The Duchess Of Nona, Messer Cino And The Live Coal, The Judgment Of Borso Maurice Henry Hewlett

  • And she led him to a tall plane tree, beneath whose shade grew arbutus, and lentisk, and purple heather bushes.

    Types of Children's Literature Walter Barnes

  • Aram. pistheqa-pesag (Dan., xiii, 54), the lentisk, Pistacia lentiscus, common in the East, which exudes a fragrant resin extensively used to flavour sweetmeats, wine, etc.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 12: Philip II-Reuss 1840-1916 1913

  • Besides the pine, its most common trees are the prickly oak, myrtle, lentisk, carob and olive.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 3: Brownson-Clairvaux 1840-1916 1913

  • Then he began to climb the mountain, first through brown woods of beech and oak, then through pine and broom, and then across red stony ledges where only a pinched growth of lentisk and briar spread in patches over the rock.

    The Hermit and the Wild Woman 1906

Comments

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  • The mastic-tree.

    December 2, 2010

  • "Immobile, I have journeyed through lands and encountered saints, archive of the world, from Tafilalet to Senoussi country, their white domes dazzling hilltop and desert; sacred lentisks, holy ash tree, blessed waters, healing springs, benediction and grace upon your relentless desire to be."

    Talismano by Abdelwahab Meddeb, translated by Jane Kuntz, p 69 of the Dalkey Archive Press paperback

    September 22, 2011