any deciduous tree of the hamamelidaceous genus Liquidambar, of Asia and North and Central America, with star-shaped leaves, and exuding a yellow aromatic balsam
See also sweet gum
2.
the balsam of this tree, used in medicine
See also storax (sense 1)
Word origin
C16: New Latin, from Latin liquidus liquid + Medieval Latin ambaramber
liquidambar in American English
(ˈlɪkwɪdˌæmbər)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Liquidambar) of trees of the witch hazel family, found in Asia and North America, esp. the sweet gum
2.
the balsam from such a tree
Word origin
ModL < L liquidus (see liquid) + Ar ʿanbar (see amber)