Is 'resin' English, or is it actually Latin?

'Resin' is a word borrowed from Latin 'resina'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

resin [noun] [14th century]

• any of various solid or semisolid amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances that are usually transparent o...
• rosin
• any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural but are different chem...
• any of various products made from a natural resin or a natural polymer

Meaning: any of various solid or semisolid amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances that are usually transparent or translucent and yellowish to brown; are formed especially in plant secretions; are soluble in organic solvents (as ether) but not in water; are electrical nonconductors; and are used chiefly in varnishes; printing inks; plastics; and sizes and in medicine; rosin; any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly in plastics.

Etymology: Middle English; from Anglo-French reisine; from Latin resina; akin to Greek rhetine pine resin.

Topics: Science:Chemistry.

Origin: From Latin to English.

note: Derived from Latin resina which refers to the sticky substance secreted by trees. Ultimately tracing back to Greek rhetine.

See 'resin' on the Loan Words Map

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See more loan words from 1300s.