rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymyrrhAromatic resin
noun

myrrh

MUR/mɜːr/

An aromatic tree resin used in incense and perfume.

Pieces of myrrh lie beside bark and an incense burner.

A close botanical still life of myrrh: reddish-brown resin tears beside a cut section of resin-bearing bark, with a small incense burner showing the same resin warming on charcoal.
Etymology
myrrhGreekmyrrh resin

Greek myrrha names the aromatic resin, but its Semitic source comes from a root meaning “was bitter.” The name therefore points to bitterness rather than the fragrance for which myrrh is used.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain197:58
frankincense and myrrh these are gums which were bought from Arabia and were very costly they were used chiefly in making offerings and in burning incense to the gods
Alexander the Great Biography (Audiobook)

More examples

  • Myrrh gave the perfume a warm, resinous scent.
  • A small lump of myrrh smoldered on the charcoal.
  • The tree's hardened resin was collected as myrrh.

Forms

myrrh

Similar words

frankincense
Both are fragrant resins, but they come from different trees and have distinct scents.
resin
Resin is the general substance; myrrh is a particular aromatic resin.