Mas"tic (?), n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. , fr. to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also mastich.]
1. Bot.
A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (P. Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.
2.
A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.
3.
A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
Barbary mastic Bot., the Pistachia Atlantica. -- Peruvian mastic tree Bot., a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree. -- West Indian mastic Bot., a lofty tree (Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.
© Webster 1913.