Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JU'NI-PER, n. [L. juniperus; It. ginepro; Fr. genevre; Sp. enebro.]

A tree or shrub, Juniperus communis, bearing fruit of a bluish color, of a warm, pungent, sweet taste, yielding when fresh, by expression, a rich, sweet, aromatic juice. They are useful carminatives and stomachics. The wood of the tree is of a reddish color, hard and durable, and is used in cabinet work and veneering. The oil of juniper mixed with that of nuts makes an excellent varnish; and the resin powdered is used under the name of pounce. – Encyc.