¹rosin

noun ros·in \ˈrä-z^ən, ˈrȯ-, dial ˈrȯ-zəm\

: a hard and slightly sticky substance that has various uses (such as to make the bows of violins and similar instruments move more easily across the strings)

Full Definition of ROSIN

: a translucent amber-colored to almost black brittle friable resin that is obtained from the oleoresin or deadwood of pine trees or from tall oil and used especially in making varnish

See rosin defined for English-language learners

See rosin defined for kids

Origin of ROSIN

Middle English, from Anglo-French reisine, rosine resin

First Known Use: 13th century

²rosin

verb

ros·inedros·in·ing \ˈräz-niŋ, ˈrȯz-; ˈrä-z^ən-iŋ, ˈrȯ-\

Definition of ROSIN

transitive verb

: to rub or treat (as the bow of a violin) with rosin

First Known Use of ROSIN

15th century

ROSIN Defined for Kids

rosin

noun ros·in \ˈrä-z^ən\

Definition of ROSIN for Kids

: a hard brittle yellow to dark red substance obtained especially from pine trees and used in varnishes and on violin bows

Medical Dictionary

rosin

noun ros·in \ˈräz-^ən, ˈrȯz-\

Medical Definition of ROSIN

: a translucent amber-colored to almost black brittle friable resin that is obtained from the oleoresin or dead wood of pine trees or from tall oil and is used in pharmacology as an adhesive constituent in plasters, cerates, and ointments—called also colophony