colophony

English

Etymology

From Latin colophonia (“of Colophon”) resina (“resin”); named after the Ionic city of Colophon, which was known for producing hardened resin.

Noun

colophony (usually uncountable, plural colophonies)

1. Rosin; the residue left after the distillation of oil of turpentine from liquid resin, used in pharmaceutical preparations, soldering fluxes, and by violinists.
   • 1907, G. F. Scott Elliot, The Romance of Plant Life‎^[1]:

     This resin or turpentine is a very interesting and peculiar substance, or rather series of substances. It is valuable because tar, pitch, rosin, and colophony are obtained by distilling it.

Derived terms

• colophonite

Related terms

• colophon

Translations

rosin — see rosin