What does mastic mean?
Mastic is an aromatic resin produced by a Mediterranean evergreen tree. Its hard, translucent pieces become softer when chewed and have a distinctive resinous, slightly sweet flavor. Historically, mastic was valued as a digestive aid, medicinal preparation, perfume ingredient, preservative, and confectionery flavoring; it was also chewed for fresh breath. Today it appears in specialized foods, traditional remedies, and the production of a clear anise-flavored liqueur called mastic. The word can also denote the tree that produces the resin. As a mass noun, mastic most often refers to the substance itself, while countable uses generally concern individual pieces. Though less familiar today than many common gums and resins, it has a long history and remains important in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Greek food and drink traditions.
nounAn aromatic resin obtained from the mastic tree, traditionally chewed for its flavor and used in medicines, perfumes, and food. The term can also refer to the tree itself or to a liqueur flavored with mastic resin.
- An aromatic resin or gum obtained from the mastic tree, especially the resin of Pistacia lentiscus.
- The mastic tree, a Mediterranean evergreen whose resin has traditionally been used in chewing gum, medicine, food, and perfume.
- A clear, aromatic liqueur flavored with mastic resin.
"She chewed a piece of mastic slowly as the bitter resin gradually gave way to a warm, piney sweetness."
"The pharmacist ground the mastic into a powder and mixed it with honey."
"After dinner, the host poured a small glass of mastic and served it with lemon and ice."
Usually used as an uncountable mass noun; the plural is uncommon and generally applies to individual pieces of mastic resin.
"The shop sold blocks of mastic and several small packets of mastics for chewing."
Mastic is an evergreen resin that was once chewed like gum and prized as both a spice and a medicine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mastic come from?
English mastic came through French mastic, from Latin masticē, which was borrowed from Greek mastichē, an aromatic resin or gum. Greek mastichē is associated with mastichan, meaning “to chew,” reflecting the resin’s traditional use as a chewing gum. The same Latin root masticare, “to chew,” also underlies English masticate, mastication, and masticatory.
How mastic is actually used
Mastic is normally used as an uncountable name for the resin or the liqueur. Countable references to individual pieces are possible in contexts such as chewing and confectionery. The botanical sense refers to the tree commonly called the mastic or lentisk tree.