Colophony
/ˈkɒl.ə.fə.ni/noun
A brittle, yellowish resin obtained from pine trees after the volatile oil has been distilled off.
Did you know?Colophony was historically used by violinists to make bow hair grip the strings, while its association with incense and resin linked it to ritual and sacred fire.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Kolophōn
“Colophon, an ancient city in Ionia; the name also meant a summit or peak.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Kolophōnia rhētinē
“Colophonian resin—the resin associated with, or exported from, Colophon.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
Colophonia
“Resin of Colophon.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
Colophonia
“A resinous substance, especially pine resin.”
Middle English
English
Colofonie
“Rosin or pine resin.”
Modern English
English
Colophony
“The solid resin remaining after turpentine is distilled from pine resin.”
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