mastic

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.’