Also 6 (anglicised) ladane. [L. lādanum, lēdanum, a. Gr. λᾱδανον, λήδανον, f. λῆδον mastic. Cf. LABDANUM and LAUDANUM.]
1. A gum resin that exudes from plants of the genus CISTUS, esp. C. ladaniferus and C. Creticus, much used in perfumery and for fumigation.
[c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 179. ℞ ladani Ȝ j, & resolue it in Ȝ iiij of oile of mirtilles. Ibid., 188. Olium ladani.]
1551. Turner, Herbal, I. K vj. Ladanum … hath the propertie to bind to gether to warme, to make softe and to open the mouthes of the veynes.
1568. Skeyne, The Pest (1860), 31. Eikand thairtill … sa meikill of ladane as salbe thocht expedient.
1611. Cotgr., Ladane, the sweet Gumme Ladanum.
1634. Peacham, Gentl. Exerc., I. xii. 40. Sistis (that beareth that excellent gumme Ladanum).
1648. Herrick, Hesper. (1869), 194. How can I chuse but kisse her, whence do’s come The storax, spiknard, myrrhe and ladanum.
1861. Miss Pratt, Flower. Pl., I. 161. The balsam called Ladanum … is produced by the Cistus Creticus.
† 2. = LAUDANUM. Obs.
1627. trans. Bacon’s Life & Death (1651), 29. The compound Opiates are Treacle, Methridate, Ladanum, &c.
