Also 6–7 beniamin. [Corruption of benjoin, earlier form of BENZOIN, assimilated to the proper name Benjamin.]

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  1.  Gum benzoin.

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1580.  Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Du Benjoin, Beniamin.

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1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 260. The marchandise which be in Pegu, are … muske, beniamim or franckincense, [etc.].

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1648.  Herrick, Hesper. (1869), 139. Leave a name as sweet As Benjamin and Storax when they meet.

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1744.  Mrs. Delany, Autobiog. (1861), II. 270. Seeds and tincture of benjamin.

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1799.  W. Taylor, in Month. Rev., XXVIII. 570. Terms so inexpressive or improper as Benjamin for Benjoin … will disappear by simple exposure.

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1851–9.  Hooker, in Adm. Man. Sci. Enq., 425. Benzoin or Gum Benjamin.

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  2.  Benjamin tree: a name applied to three trees: a. Styrax Benzoin, the tree from which benzoin is obtained; a native of Sumatra, Borneo, etc.; b. the Benzoin odoriferum or Lindera Benzoin, a North American shrub, which has an aromatic stimulant tonic bark, and berries yielding an oil of similar properties; called also Benjamin-bush, and in U. S. Benjamin; c. sometimes applied to Ficus Benjamina (Treas. Bot., 135).

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1640.  Parkinson, Theat. Bot., 1572. The fruite of this Benjamin-tree.

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1693.  Phil. Trans., XVII. 619. The Benjamin-Tree … from the Continent of Virginia.

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1777.  Miller, ibid., LXVIII. 169. Camphire and Benjamin trees are in this Country in great abundance.

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1789.  Abercrombie, Pract. Gard. (1823), 321. Laurus, Laurel; comprehending the Benjamin-Tree and Sassafras.

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1812.  Rees, Cycl., s.v. Laurus, The true Benjamin-tree or Gum Benzoin is a species of Styrax.

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1867.  Gray, Bot. N. U. States, 423. Lindera Benzoin, Spice Bush, Benjamin Bush.

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