Definition

Noun: 1. The fragrant heartwood of the sandalwood tree: A close-grained, yellowish, aromatic wood from trees of the genus Santalum, especially Santalum album. It is valued for its fragrance, insect-repelling properties, and use in fine woodworking and carving. 2. The tree itself: Any tree of the genus Santalum that yields this wood.

Usage Examples

• The artisan carved the intricate statue from a single block of sandalwood.
• The scent of burning sandalwood filled the temple during the ceremony.
• Sandalwood oil is a prized ingredient in perfumes and traditional medicines.
• The forests were once rich with sandalwood trees.

Advanced Usage

• "Sandalwood paste": A paste made from powdered sandalwood and water or other liquids, used in religious rituals and traditional skincare in some cultures.
  • The priest applied a tilak of sandalwood paste to the devotee's forehead.
• "Sandalwood essential oil": The concentrated oil extracted through distillation of the wood, used in aromatherapy and perfumery.
  • A few drops of sandalwood essential oil in a diffuser can promote relaxation.

Variants and Related Words

• Sandalwood tree (n): The tree species, primarily , that produces sandalwood.
• Sandalwood oil (n): The essential oil derived from sandalwood.
• Sandalwood paste (n): A paste made from sandalwood powder.

Synonyms

• Chandan: (A term of Sanskrit origin commonly used in South Asia for sandalwood).
• Santalum album: (The botanical name for the primary species of sandalwood tree).

Related Phrases and Compounds

• White sandalwood: Refers specifically to the wood from , which is considered the most valuable variety.
• Red sandalwood: Refers to a different tree () with red-colored wood, used for dye and carving but not for its fragrance like true sandalwood.

Noun

1. close-grained fragrant yellowish heartwood of the true sandalwood; has insect repelling properties and is used for carving and cabinetwork