camphor

camphor

camphor , C 10 H 16 O, white, crystalline solid ketone with a characteristic pungent odor and taste. It melts at 176°C and boils at 204°C. The natural variety, Japan camphor, is obtained by steam distillation of the wood of the camphor tree ( Cinnamomum camphora ) native to China, Japan, and Taiwan (its chief natural source). Since this source is inadequate, camphor is widely synthesized from α-pinene, which is obtained from oil of turpentine. Camphor is widely used as a plasticizer in the manufacture of celluloid and some lacquers. It is used in medicine as a stimulant, a diaphoretic, and an inhalant. Camphor ice is a mixture, containing principally camphor and wax, used for external application. Camphor is practically insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and other solvents. The alcoholic solution is known as spirits of camphor.

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"camphor." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"camphor." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-camphor.html

"camphor." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-camphor.html

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camphor

camphor Organic chemical compound (C10H16O). It has a strong odour, which also occurs in the wood and leaves of the camphor tree, Cinammonum camphora, native to Taiwan. Camphor is used in medicine for liniments, in the manufacture of celluloid, lacquers and explosives, and as an ingredient of mothballs.

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"camphor." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"camphor." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-camphor.html

"camphor." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-camphor.html

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camphor

camphor XV. Early forms are various, both disyll. and trisyll., camphire prevailing from XV to c. 1800. — OF. camphore (later and mod. camphre) or medL. camphora — (prob. through Sp. alcanfor) Arab. kāfūr, ult. — Skr. karpūra-.

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T. F. HOAD. "camphor." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "camphor." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-camphor.html

T. F. HOAD. "camphor." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-camphor.html

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camphor

cam·phor / ˈkamfər/ • n. a white, volatile, crystalline substance, a terpenoid ketone, C10H16O, with an aromatic smell and bitter taste, occurring in certain essential oils.

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"camphor." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"camphor." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-camphor.html

"camphor." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-camphor.html

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camphor

camphor (kam-fer) n. a crystalline aromatic substance obtained from the tree Cinnamomum camphora. It is used in liniments, creams, and sprays as a counterirritant and antipruritic.

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"camphor." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"camphor." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-camphor.html

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camphor

camphor See CINNAMOMUM.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "camphor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "camphor." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-camphor.html

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camphor

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"camphor." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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