▪ I. benjamin1
(ˈbɛndʒəmɪn)
Also 6–7 beniamin.
[Corruption of benjoin, earlier form of benzoin, assimilated to the proper name Benjamin.]
1. Gum benzoin.
| 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Du Benjoin, Beniamin. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. i. 260 The marchandise which be in Pegu, are..muske, beniamim or franckincense, etc. 1648 Herrick Hesper. (1869) 139 Leave a name as sweet As Benjamin and Storax when they meet. 1744 Mrs. Delany Autobiog. (1861) II. 270 Seeds and tincture of benjamin. 1799 W. Taylor in Month. Rev. XXVIII. 570 Terms so inexpressive or improper as Benjamin for Benjoin..will disappear by simple exposure. 1851–9 Hooker in Adm. Man. Sci. Enq. 425 Benzoin or Gum Benjamin. |
2. Benjamin tree: a name applied to three trees: a. Styrax Benzoin, the tree from which benzoin is obtained; a native of Sumatra, Borneo, etc.; b. the Benzoin odoriferum or Lindera Benzoin, a North American shrub, which has an aromatic stimulant tonic bark, and berries yielding an oil of similar properties; called also Benjamin-bush and in U.S. Benjamin; c. sometimes applied to Ficus Benjamina (Treas. Bot. 135).
| 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 1572 The fruite of this Benjamin-tree. 1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 619 The Benjamin-Tree..from the Continent of Virginia. 1777 Miller ibid. LXVIII. 169 Camphire and Benjamin trees are in this Country in great abundance. 1789 Abercrombie Pract. Gard. (1823) 321 Laurus, Laurel; comprehending the Benjamin-Tree and Sassafras. 1812 Rees Cycl. s.v. Laurus, The true Benjamin-tree or Gum Benzoin is a species of Styrax. 1867 Gray Bot. N.U. States 423 Lindera Benzoin, Spice Bush, Benjamin Bush. |
▪ II. benjamin2
(ˈbɛndʒəmɪn)
[according to Brewer from the name of a tailor.]
An overcoat of a particular shape formerly worn by men. (Still in slang or humorous use.)
| 1810 Sporting Mag. Dec. 127/1 One article was an upper benjamin, eight guineas. 1812 [see jarvey n. 1]. 1817 T. Peacock Nightm. Abbey 159 His heart is seen to beat through his upper benjamin. 1837 Lockhart Scott (1839) V. 59 A vastly scientific and rather grave professor in a smooth drab benjamin. 1841 Punch I. 98. 1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 7 Mar. 3/2 [quoting East-end slang]. |