Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An old form of camphor.
  • noun In the authorized version of the Bible (Cant. i. 14, iv. 13), a faulty rendering of the Hebrew name of the henna-plant, Lawsonia alba.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun An old spelling of camphor.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun the fragrant henna flower (or plant): Lawsonia alba

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The juice, of which the camphire is made, runs out from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, is received in a vessel, where it grows to a consistency, and becomes what we call camphire; and the juice being thus drawn out, the tree withers and dies.

    The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Volume 01 Anonymous

  • The juice of which the camphire is made exudes from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, is received in a vessel, where it thickens to a consistency, and becomes what we call camphire; after the juice is thus drawn out, the tree withers and dies.

    The Arabian Nights Their Best-known Tales Unknown 1889

  • The juice, of which the camphire is made, exudes from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, is received in a vessel, where it thickens to a consistency, and becomes what we call camphire; after the juice is thus drawn out, the tree withers and dies.

    The Arabian Nights Entertainments - Complete Anonymous 1791

  • The spikenard was for the banquet (So 1: 12); the myrrh was in her bosom continually (So 1: 13); the camphire is in the midst of natural beauties, which, though lovely, are eclipsed by the one cluster, Jesus

    Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

  • The word translated camphire is copher, the same word that signifies atonement or propitiation.

    Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume III (Job to Song of Solomon) 1721

  • They contain tannin, and a resinous camphire, which is common to most of the mints affording essential oils.

    Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

  • I have heard of the use of local stimulants, such as camphire and ammonia -- how I longed for the sweet revenge of holding a bottle of aqua ammonia under that Roman nose!

    Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 12, No. 28, July, 1873 Various

  • There can be no doubt that "camphire" is the Lawsonia alba of botanists, the henna of Arabian naturalists.

    Smith's Bible Dictionary 1884

  • He knew just the cost of Major Broad's scarlet cloak and shoe-buckles, and how Mrs. Major had a real Ingy shawl up in her "camphire" trunk, that cost nigh as much as Lady Lothrop's.

    Oldtown Folks 1869

  • "hot drops," and ruled paper to write letters on, and a little Bible, and a phial with hiera picra, and another with paregoric, and another with "camphire" for sprains and bruises.

    The Guardian Angel Oliver Wendell Holmes 1851

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