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mirra

myrrh

noun MEER-rah Rare
Arts & Culture Religion

Origin: Latin myrrha, from Greek myrra, of Semitic origin (Arabic murr).

Usage Note

Mirra is the aromatic resin obtained from certain trees of the genus Commiphora, known in English as myrrh. It appears in Italian chiefly in religious and nativity contexts alongside oro (gold) and incenso (frankincense) as one of the three gifts of the Magi. The word is rarely encountered outside liturgical or historical texts.

Examples

"I Magi portarono oro, incenso e mirra."

Natural Translation

The Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

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