King James Bible Dictionary

(Ezekiel 1:4, 27; 8:2. Heb., hashmal, rendered by the LXX. elektron, and by the Vulgate electrum), a metal compounded of silver and gold. Some translate the word by "polished brass," others "fine brass," as in Revelation 1:15; 2:18. It was probably the mixture now called electrum. The word has no connection, however, with what is now called amber, which is a gummy substance, reckoned as belonging to the mineral kingdom though of vegetable origin, a fossil resin.

A vegetable fossil.
Ezekiel 1:4; Ezekiel 1:27; Ezekiel 8:2

(Heb. chasmal) occurs only in (Ezekiel 1:4,27; 8:2) It is usually supposed that the Hebrew word chasmal (denotes a metal) and not the fossil resin called amber .

AM'BER, noun [In 1 Kings 10:2-10, the Arabic is rendered spices. The Arabic word is rendered by Castle, amber a marine fish, a shield made of skins, crocus and fimus.]

A hard semi-pellucid substance, tasteless and without smell, except when pounded or heated, when it emits a fragrant odor. It is found in alluvial soils, or on the sea shore, in many places; particularly on the shores of the Baltic, in Europe, and at Cape Sable, in Maryland, in the United States. The ancient opinion of its vegetable origin seems now to be established, and it is believed or known to be a fossil resin. It yields by distillation an empyreumatic oil, and succinic acid, which sublimes in small white needles. Its color usually presents some tinge of yellow. it is highly electrical, and is the basis of a varnish.

AM'BER, adjective Consisting of, or resembling amber

AM'BER, verb transitive To scent with amber

AM'BER-DRINK, noun A drink resembling amber in color.

AM'BER-DROPPING, adjective Dropping amber.

CHAMBER-FELLOW, AMBER-FELLOW, noun One who sleeps in the same apartment.

AM'BERGRIS, noun

A solid, opake, ash-colored inflammable substance, variegated like marble, remarkably light, rugged on its surface, and when heated, it has a fragrant odor. It does not effervesce with acids; it melts easily into a kind of yellow resin, and is highly soluble in spirit of wine. Various opinions have been entertained respecting its origin; but it is well ascertained, that it is indurated fecal matter, discharged by the spermaceti whale, a species of physeter. It has been found in that species of whale, but usually is found floating on the surface of the ocean, in regions frequented by whales; sometimes in masses of from 60 to 225 pounds weight. In this substance are found the beaks of the cuttle fish, on which that whale is known to feed. It is highly valued as a material in perfumery.

AM'BER-SEED, noun Musk-seed, resembling millet. It is of a bitterish taste, and brought from Egypt and the West Indies.

AM'BER-TREE, noun The English name of a species of Anthospermum, a shrub, with evergreen leaves, which, when bruised, emit a fragrant odor.