sweet gum

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Any of several trees of the genus Liquidambar, especially L. styraciflua of North America and Central America, having palmately lobed leaves, prickly round hanging fruits, and wood used to make furniture.
2. n. The aromatic resin obtained from this tree.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The American liquidambar, Liquidambar Styraciflua, or its exuding balsam. See Liquidambar, and liquid storax (under storax).

GNU Webster's 1913

1. adj. (Bot.) an American tree (Liquidambar styraciflua). See Liquidambar.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. reddish-brown wood and lumber from heartwood of the sweet gum tree used to make furniture
2. n. aromatic exudate from the sweet gum tree
3. n. a North American tree of the genus Liquidambar having prickly spherical fruit clusters and fragrant sap