What does mastich mean?
Mastich, now usually spelled mastic, names an aromatic resin obtained from a small Mediterranean tree. The resin was valued for its fragrant taste and for preservative, medicinal, and decorative properties, and was used in chewing mixtures, perfumes, varnishes, and medicines. “Mastic” also refers to a liqueur traditionally made by steeping or distilling with the resin, as well as to the tree that yields it. The historical spelling “mastich” is occasionally encountered in older writing and in specialized descriptions of the material. In ordinary contemporary usage, however, “mastic” is both clearer and more familiar. The word is useful because it connects several familiar products—natural gum, medicinal preparation, flavouring, and alcoholic drink—to a single distinctive Mediterranean resin.
An aromatic resin obtained from a Mediterranean tree of the genus Pistacia, especially Pistacia lentiscus, formerly used in medicine, chewing, perfumes, and varnish.
"The resin known as mastich was once used to make aromatic chewing mixtures."
The spelling is historical; modern English generally uses mastic.
A liqueur flavoured with mastic resin.
"He ordered a small glass of mastich with the meal."
Often capitalized in references to the branded spirit, though the word itself is not.
The tree that produces mastic resin, especially Pistacia lentiscus.
"Mastic trees grow naturally in parts of the Mediterranean."
Normally occurs as “mastic tree”; the historical spelling is uncommon in modern usage.
The plural is rarely needed or encountered because the usual modern spelling is “mastic,” whose plural is “mastics.”
"The old inventory listed several blocks of mastichs."
Mastic resin once served as a breath freshener, a medicine, a perfume ingredient, and a varnish binder.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mastich come from?
The word comes through Latin from Greek mastichē, referring to the resin of the mastic tree and perhaps related to a Greek verb meaning to chew. English adopted it with spellings including mastich and mastic. The modern standard spelling mastic and the older form mastich thus share the same Greek and Latin ancestry.
Related word forms
How mastich is actually used
The spelling is now uncommon in modern English, although it remains familiar in some historical and specialist contexts. “Mastic” is the standard contemporary spelling for the resin, tree, and liqueur.
Easily confused with mastich
Mastich was a historical spelling of the resin called mastic, whereas a mastiff is a large domestic dog.
Mastich and mastic refer to the same substance or liqueur; “mastic” is the usual modern spelling.