margosa Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun large semi-evergreen tree of the East Indies; trunk exudes a tenacious gum; bitter bark used as a tonic; seeds yield an aromatic oil; sometimes placed in genus Melia
    Melia Azadirachta; neem tree; nim tree; Azadirachta indica; neem; arishth.

WordNet

Mar*go"sa noun
Etymology
Pg. amargoso bitter.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A large tree of genus Melia (M. Azadirachta) found in India. Its bark is bitter, and used as a tonic. A valuable oil is expressed from its seeds, and a tenacious gum exudes from its trunk. The M. Azedarach is a much more showy tree, and is cultivated in the Southern United States, where it is known as Pride of India, Pride of China, or bead tree. Various parts of the tree are considered anthelmintic.
    The margosa oil . . . is a most valuable balsam for wounds, having a peculiar smell which prevents the attacks of flies. Sir S. Baker.

Webster 1913