Bdel"lium (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ; cf. Heb. b'dolakh bdellium (in sense 1).]

1.

An unidentified substance mentioned in the Bible (Gen. ii. 12, and Num. xi. 7), variously taken to be a gum, a precious stone, or pearls, or perhaps a kind of amber found in Arabia.

2.

A gum resin of reddish brown color, brought from India, Persia, and Africa.

Indian bdellium or false myrrh is an exudation from Balsamodendron Roxbrghii. Other kinds are known as African, Sicilian, etc.

 

© Webster 1913.

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