# camphor

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæmfɚ/ · frequency rank #54,067

## Definitions
1. A white transparent waxy crystalline isoprenoid ketone, 1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one, with a strong pungent odour, used in pharmacy, also known as laurel camphor or common/ordinary camphor.
2. a plant-extracted crystalline substance similar to common camphor, especially Borneo camphor.

## Etymology
From Old French camphore or Medieval Latin camphora, from Arabic كَافُور (kāfūr), in turn from an Austronesian word such as Malay kapur.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/camphor