Camphor

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈkæmfÉš/
• RP IPA: /ˈkæmfÉ™/

Origin

From Old French camphore or Medieval Latin camphora, ultimately of origin; compare Malay kapur.

Full definition of camphor

Noun

1. (organic compound) A white transparent waxy crystalline isoprenoid ketone, with a strong pungent odour, used in pharmacy.
• 1895, H. G. Wells, The Time Machine Chapter XI fancied at first the stuff was paraffin wax, and smashed the jar accordingly. But the odour of camphor was unmistakable. It struck me as singularly odd, that among the universal decay, this volatile substance had chanced to survive, perhaps through many thousand years.

Derived terms

• camphorate
• camphorated
• camphoraceous
• camphor tree