Definition: margosa

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

margosa
     n : large semi-evergreen tree of East India; trunk exudes a
         tenacious gum; bitter bark used as a tonic; seeds yield
         an aromatic oil; sometimes placed in genus Melia [syn: neem,
          neem tree, nim tree, arishth, Azadirachta indica,
          Melia Azadirachta]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Margosa \Mar*go"sa\, n. [Pg. amargoso bitter.] (Bot.)
   A large tree of genus Melia (M. Azadirachta) found in
   India. Its bark is bitter, and used as a tonic. A valuable
   oil is expressed from its seeds, and a tenacious gum exudes
   from its trunk. The M. Azedarach is a much more showy tree,
   and is cultivated in the Southern United States, where it is
   known as Pride of India, Pride of China, or bead tree.
   Various parts of the tree are considered anthelmintic.

         The margosa oil . . . is a most valuable balsam for
         wounds, having a peculiar smell which prevents the
         attacks of flies.                        --Sir S.
                                                  Baker.