n. [ F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing. ] [ Written also mastich. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia (Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Barbary mastic (Bot.), the Pistachia Atlantica. --
Peruvian mastic tree (Bot.), a small tree (Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree. --
West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree (Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being masticated. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Sp. mastigador. See Masticate. ] (Man.) A part of a bridle, the slavering bit. [ Written also mastigador. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Masticated p. pr. & vb. n. Masticating ] [ L. masticatus, p. p. of masticare to chew, prob. fr. mastiche mastic. See Mastic. ] To grind or crush with, or as with, the teeth and prepare for swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to masticate food. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who masticates. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. masticatio: cf. F. mastication. ] The act or operation of masticating; chewing, as of food. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mastication is a necessary preparation of solid aliment, without which there can be no good digestion. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who masticates. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A machine for cutting meat into fine pieces for toothless people; also, a machine for cutting leather, India rubber, or similar tough substances, into fine pieces, in some processes of manufacture. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -ries (Med.) A substance to be chewed to increase the saliva. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. masticatoire. ] Chewing; adapted to perform the office of chewing food. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Mastic. [ 1913 Webster ]