bitter almond

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Related to bitter almond: bitter almond oil

bitter almond

A variety of almond (Prunus dulcis var. amara) having kernels that yield an oil consisting mostly of benzaldehyde and some hydrocyanic acid. The detoxified oil can be used for flavoring.


(ˈɑ mənd, ˈæm ənd; spelling pron. ˈæl mənd)

1. the nutlike kernel of the fruit of either of two trees, Prunus dulcis, or P. dulcis amara (bitter almond), of the rose family.
2. the tree itself.
3. a pale tan.
4. anything shaped like an almond.
5. of the color, taste, or shape of an almond.
6. made or flavored with almonds: almond cookies.
[1250–1300; Middle English almande < Old French (dial.) alemande, < Late Latin amandula, < Greek amygdálē]
al′mond•like`, al′mond•y, adj.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.bitter almond - almond trees having white blossoms and poisonous nuts yielding an oil used for flavoring and for medicinal purposesbitter almond - almond trees having white blossoms and poisonous nuts yielding an oil used for flavoring and for medicinal purposes
almond tree - any of several small bushy trees having pink or white blossoms and usually bearing nuts
References in classic literature ?
Benzaldehyde is a colorless liquid with a bitter almond Odour, soluble in a number of solvents including alcohols and ethers.
Bitter almond oil: One study showed that women who massaged bitter almond oil into the skin on their bellies during pregnancy did have fewer stretch marks than others who just used oil without massage.
They include numerous oak trees, juniper, hawthorn, apple, plum, pear, trees of bitter almond and much more.
Jardin des Tuileries green thumb Louis Benech planted the Garden of Contemplation, and also created the toiletries infused with iris, aniseed, and bitter almond for the 37 rooms.
It's formulated with lightweight oils grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, bitter almond oil, apricot oil, and vitamin E.
Increasing productivity in sweet almond using selected clones of bitter almond. Euphytica 1985.
Fisher Jr., "Cyanide poisoning after bitter almond ingestion," Western Journal of Medicine, vol.
Corvina has good fruit and acid and contributes the signature bitter almond edge, which makes the wines from this region so distinctive and delicious.
Cyanogen is a colorless and odorless gas that smells bitter almond, which is used in wars.