mastic

Noun

mastic (countable and uncountable, plural mastics)

1. An 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. A hard, brittle, aromatic and transparent resin produced by this tree and used to make varnishes and chewing gum, and as a flavouring.
   • 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

   Synonyms:

   tears of Chios

3. An 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. (Commonwealth, English, especially) Any 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