Copaiva

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Copaiba \Co*pai"ba\ (?; 277), Copaiva \Co*pai"va\, n. [Sp. &
     Pg., fr. Brazil. cupa['u]ba.] (Med.)
     A more or less viscid, yellowish liquid, the bitter oleoresin
     of several species of {Copaifera}, a genus of trees growing
     in South America and the West Indies. It is stimulant and
     diuretic, and was formerly much used in affections of the


     mucous membranes. It is also used in varnishes and lacquers,
     and in cleaning oil paintings. -- called also {balsam of
     copaiba}, {copaiba balsam}, {balsam capivi}, and {Jesuits'
     resin}. [Written also {capivi}.]
     [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 +PJC]