Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Camphor \Cam"phor\, n. [OE. camfere, F. camphre (cf. It.
camfara, Sp. camfara, alcanfor, LL. camfora, camphara, NGr.
?), fr. Ar. k[=a]f[=u]r, prob. fr. Skr. karp[=u]ra.]
1. A tough, white, aromatic resin, or gum, obtained from
different species of the {Laurus} family, esp. from
{Cinnamomum camphara} (the {Laurus camphara} of
Linn[ae]us.). Camphor, {C10H16O}, is volatile and
fragrant, and is used in medicine as a diaphoretic, a
stimulant, or sedative.
2. A gum resembling ordinary camphor, obtained from a tree
({Dryobalanops camphora}) growing in Sumatra and Borneo;
-- called also {Malay camphor}, {camphor of Borneo}, or
{borneol}. See {Borneol}.
Note: The name camphor is also applied to a number of bodies
of similar appearance and properties, as {cedar
camphor}, obtained from the red or pencil cedar
({Juniperus Virginiana}), and {peppermint camphor}, or
{menthol}, obtained from the oil of peppermint.
{Camphor oil} (Chem.), name variously given to certain
oil-like products, obtained especially from the camphor
tree.
{Camphor tree}, a large evergreen tree ({Cinnamomum
Camphora}) with lax, smooth branches and shining
triple-nerved lanceolate leaves, probably native in China,
but now cultivated in most warm countries. Camphor is
collected by a process of steaming the chips of the wood
and subliming the product.
Menthol \Men"thol\, n. [Mentha + -ol.] (Chem.)
A white, crystalline, aromatic substance resembling camphor,
extracted from oil of peppermint ({Mentha}); -- called also
{mint camphor} or {peppermint camphor}.