camphire

English

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”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkæmfaɪə(ɹ)/, /ˈkæmfaɪ.ə(ɹ)/

Noun

camphire (plural camphires) (obsolete)

1. Camphor.
   • 1725, [Noël] Chomel, “VALERIAN”, in R[ichard] Bradley, editor, Dictionaire Oeconomique: Or, The Family Dictionary. […], volume II (I–Z), London: […] D[aniel] Midwinter, […], →OCLC:

     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.

   • 1734, George Sale, The Koran, commonly called the Alcoran of Mohammed, London: C. Ackers, Chapter 78, page 475:

     Câfûr is the name of a fountain in paradise, so called from its resembling camphire (which the word signifies) in odour, and whiteness. Some take the word for an appellative, and think the wine of paradise will be mixed with camphire, because of its agreeable coolness and smell.

   • 1786, John Hunter, A Treatise on the Venereal Disease, London, Part II, Chapter IX, Section VI, page 108:

     Sitting over the steam of warm water with camphire, might be tried, especially in such cases as are not disposed to be permanent, and rubbing the scrotum with mercurial ointment joined with camphire.

2. The fragrant henna flower (or plant) (Lawsonia inermis, syn. Lawsonia alba)
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Song of Solomon 4:12–14:

     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

Further reading

• “camphire”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “camphire”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.
• Smith, William (1868) A Dictionary of the Bible, 2nd edition, page 350

Anagrams

• hemicarp