Camphire
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Camphor. obsolete
"The Wild Valerian is mightily extolled by some for strengthning the Optick Nerves and restoring decay’d Sight tho’ the present Practice does not acknowledge it in any such Intentions; it does sometimes Wonders in Hysterical Affections, especially where those of the fætid Kind are, and where the Spirits are too impetuous in their Motions, so as to occasion Convulsions; being assisted with Camphire and some other things of the like Nature, which are very powerful in breaking thro’ the minutest Obstructions, it has been known to cure obstinate Agues."
- 2 The fragrant henna flower (or plant) (Lawsonia inermis, syn. Lawsonia alba) obsolete
"A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices"
Example
More examples"The Wild Valerian is mightily extolled by some for strengthning the Optick Nerves and restoring decay’d Sight tho’ the present Practice does not acknowledge it in any such Intentions; it does sometimes Wonders in Hysterical Affections, especially where those of the fætid Kind are, and where the Spirits are too impetuous in their Motions, so as to occasion Convulsions; being assisted with Camphire and some other things of the like Nature, which are very powerful in breaking thro’ the minutest Obstructions, it has been known to cure obstinate Agues."
Etymology
Malapropism in the English Bible of the Hebrew כֹּפֶר / כּוֹפֶר (kōp̄er, “henna”) by confusion with camphor. The Hebrew is from Akkadian 𒇒𒌓𒀀 (kupru, “bitumen, pitch”) from Akkadian 𒅗𒉺𒊒 (kapāru, “to smear, to daub on”).
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.