n. [ OE. aumbre, F. ambre, Sp. ámbar, and with the Ar. article, alámbar, fr. Ar. 'anbar ambergris. ] 1. (Min.) A yellowish translucent resin resembling copal, found as a fossil in alluvial soils, with beds of lignite, or on the seashore in many places. It takes a fine polish, and is used for pipe mouthpieces, beads, etc., and as a basis for a fine varnish. By friction, it becomes strongly electric. [ 1913 Webster ]

Amber is classified as a fossil resin, being typically of ancient origin, having solidified from the exudates of certain trees millions of years ago. Many pieces are found with insects embedded, the insects having been trapped by the resin while they were alive. The insects are often very well preserved, due to the antimicrobial action of components of the amber. It typically contains from 5 to 8 percent of succinic acid. "Baltic amber" has been mined for centuries in the region of Poland formerly called East Prussia, and is the variety used in most jewelry made in Poland and Russia. The Baltic strata containing amber extend under the sea, and amber beads may be found there deposited by waves along the shore. Amber was known to the ancient Greeks. The name "electron" comes from the Latin word for amber, electrum, derived from the Greek word, 'h`lektron (see electric), due to the electric charge that amber takes when rubbed, as with cat fur. Although at one time used in fine varnishes, it no longer has any commercial value for that purpose, being used mostly in jewelry. Significant deposits are also found in the Carribean region, and smaller amounts in various other places. The notion, that DNA sufficiently intact to recreate extinct animals might be extracted from amber, was the basis for Michael Crichton's novel "Jurassic Park", but has as yet (1997) not been demonstrated to be possible. [ PJC ]

2. Amber color, or anything amber-colored; a clear light yellow; as, the amber of the sky. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Ambergris. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

You that smell of amber at my charge. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The balsam, liquidambar. [ 1913 Webster ]

Black amber, and old and popular name for jet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Consisting of amber; made of amber. “Amber bracelets.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Resembling amber, especially in color; amber-colored. “The amber morn.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ p. p. & p. a. Ambered . ] 1. To scent or flavor with ambergris; as, ambered wine. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To preserve in amber; as, an ambered fly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a genus of herbs of Mediterranean to Central Asia cultivated for their flowers.
Syn. -- genus Amberboa. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

(Zool.) Any of several amber to coppery fork-tailed warm-water carangid fishes of the genus Seriola, especially a large vigorous sport fish of the southern Atlantic coast (Seriola Dumerili). It is also called the amberjack. Seriola Carolinensis was the species name given in the 1890 Webster: same fish or different?
Syn. -- amberjack [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. See Ambergris. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ambre gris, i. e., gray amber; F. gris gray, which is of German origin: cf. OS. grîs, G. greis, gray-haired. See Amber. ] A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212° Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery. Dana. [ 1913 Webster ]

A room formerly in the Czar's Summer Palace in Russia, which was richly decorated with walls and fixtures made from amber. The amber was removed by occupying German troops during the Second World War and has, as of 1997, never been recovered. The room is being recreated from old photographs by Russian artisans. [ PJC ]

Seed of the Hibiscus abelmoschus, somewhat resembling millet, brought from Egypt and the West Indies, and having a flavor like that of musk; musk seed. Chambers. [ 1913 Webster ]

A species of Anthospermum, a shrub with evergreen leaves, which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odor. [ 1913 Webster ]