myrrh means A red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of a tree of the genus Commiphora, especially Commiphora myrrha, used as perfume, incense or medicine. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 81 out of 100.
myrrh is pronounced /mɜːɹ/.
Why “myrrh” is a great word
A fragrant, reddish-brown gum resin exuded from trees of the genus Commiphora, used historically as incense, perfume, and medicine. From Middle English mirre, from Old English myrre, from Latin myrrha, from Ancient Greek μύρρα (múrrha), from a Semitic root meaning 'bitter' (compare Arabic مُرّ (murr, 'myrrh, bitterness') and Hebrew מֹר (mōr, 'myrrh, bitterness')). Unlike frankincense, whose sweeter smoke ascends as a purely sacred offering, or balm, a soothing unguent meant to heal the living, myrrh is the resin of solemnity and preservation, its bitterness intrinsic to its worth. It is the slow, tear-shaped bead hardening on a thorny branch, the astringent smoke that clings to temple stones, and the pungent unguent used to anoint the dead—a fragrance born of wounds, consecrating suffering by acknowledging its end.
Etymology
From Middle English mirre, from Old English myrre, from Latin myrrha, from Ancient Greek μύρρα (múrrha), from Semitic. Compare Arabic مُرّ (murr, “myrrh”, literally “bitterness”), Hebrew מור / מֹר (mōr, “myrrh”, literally “bitterness”). Compare מרור : maror.
noun
- A red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of a tree of the genus Commiphora, especially Commiphora myrrha, used as perfume, incense or medicine.“The glories of Mary held his soul captive: spikenard and myrrh and frankincense, symbolising the preciousness of God's gifts to her soul, rich garments, symbolising her royal lineage, her emblems, the lateflowering plant and lateblossoming tree, symbolising the agelong gradual growth of her cultus among men.”
- Synonym of chrism.
- The herb chervil.