Forms: 6 (gumme) elimi, (gummi) elennij, 8 (gum) elimy, (elemni), 7– elemi. [In Fr. élémi, It., Sp. elemi, Pg. gumileme; of unknown (perhaps oriental) etymology; the Arab. name lāmī, cited by some writers, appears, according to Devic, to be known only as a very modern word. The name (gumi elimi) occurs in Vigo’s Latin Pratica (Rome 1517).]
A stimulant resin obtained from various trees, as Canarium commune (Manilla), Icica Icicariba (Brazil), Elaphrium elemiferum (Mexico), used in plaisters, ointments, and the manufacture of varnish. More fully GUM ELEMI. Also attrib. in elemi oil (= ELEMIN), elemi resin, elemi tree.
1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg., III. xiv. 104 b/1. Of mastike .ʓ. vi. of gumme elimi, armoniake dissolued wt wyne ʓ.i. & .ʓ.
1699. Descr. Isthmus of Darian, 4. The Tree likewise that affords Gummi Elemi grows here in great Aboundance.
1703. Lond. Gaz., No. 3898/3. The Cargo of the Galeon … consisting of … Jollop, Gum Elemni,… &c.
1714. Fr. Bk. Rates, 93. Gum Elimy per 100 weight 05 li. 00 so.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Elemi is usually called gum elemi, though very improperly, inasmuch as it takes fire readily enough.
1831. T. P. Jones, Convers. Chem., xxviii. 287. The principal resins are common rosin, copal, lac … and elemi.
1851–9. Hooker, in Adm. Man. Sci. Enq., 427. Elemi is also produced in Mexico, where it is known as Copal.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., 664. Elemi tree is imported from Manilla.
