Definition

A strong-smelling substance that comes from the camphor tree and is used in medicine, as an insect repellent, and in making various products like plastics and films.

Example

The doctor recommended a cream containing camphor to help soothe my skin irritation.

Conversation

I just bought some camphor for my muscle aches.

Oh really? Does it work well?

Yeah, I’ve heard it’s great for relieving pain and itching.

I should try it too; I've been looking for something natural.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Camphor originates from the Arabic word 'kāfūr', which refers to a fragrant substance derived from the wood of the camphor tree. The term was adopted into Latin as 'camphora', maintaining its reference to the aromatic compound.

Memory Tip

Imagine the fragrant substance 'kāfūr' from the camphor tree, which helps you remember that camphor is a fragrant compound.

Visually Confused Words