A strong-smelling, waxy, volatile substance, cool to the touch and sharp to the nose, used in medicine, incense, and preservation. Now often produced synthetically as well as derived from certain trees (technical; also common). Camphor is bracing, medicinal, almost admonitory.

Through medieval Latin and French from Arabic kāfūr, ultimately from Sanskrit karpūra, reflecting the long trade routes by which aromatic resins traveled. The word, like the substance, has moved easily through borders. Pungent enough to announce itself in any language.