elemi
(ˈɛlɪmɪ)
Forms: 6 (gumme) elimi, (gummi) elennij, 8 (gum) elimy, (elemni), 7– elemi.
[In Fr. élémi, It., Sp. elemi, Pg. gumileme; of unknown (perhaps oriental) etymology; the Arab. name lāmī, cited by some writers, appears, according to Devic, to be known only as a very modern word. The name (gumi elimi) occurs in Vigo's Latin Pratica (Rome 1517).]
A stimulant resin obtained from various trees, as Canarium commune (Manilla), Icica Icicariba (Brazil), Elaphrium elemiferum (Mexico), used in plaisters, ointments, and the manufacture of varnish. More fully gum elemi. Also attrib. in elemi oil (= elemin), elemi resin, elemi tree.
| 1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. iii. xiv. 104 b/1 Of mastike .ᵹ. vi. of gumme elimi, armoniake dissolued w{supt} wyne ᵹ.i. & .ᵹ. 1699 Descr. Isthmus of Darian 4 The Tree likewise that affords Gummi Elemi grows here in great Aboundance. 1703 Lond. Gaz. No. 3898/3 The Cargo of the Galeon..consisting of..Jollop, Gum Elemni,..etc. 1714 Fr. Bk. Rates 93 Gum Elimy per 100 weight 05 li. 00 so. 1751 Chambers Cycl., Elemi is usually called gum elemi, though very improperly, inasmuch as it takes fire readily enough. 1831 T. P. Jones Convers. Chem. xxviii. 287 The principal resins are common rosin, copal, lac..and elemi. 1851–9 Hooker in Adm. Man. Sci. Enq. 427 Elemi is also produced in Mexico, where it is known as Copal. 1876 Harley Mat. Med. 664 Elemi tree is imported from Manilla. |