sandalwood

• sandal-wood

sandal +‎ wood

• IPA^(key): /ˈsandəlwʊd/

sandalwood (countable and uncountable, plural sandalwoods)

1. Any of various tropical trees of the genus Santalum, native or long naturalized in India, Australia, Hawaii, and many south Pacific islands.
2. The aromatic heartwood of these trees used in ornamental carving, in the construction of insect-repellent boxes and chests, and as a source of certain perfumes.
   • 1680, T. K., The Kitchin-Phyſician; Or, a Guide for Good-Housewives in Maintaining Their Families in Health. […] ‎, To cure the Palpitation of the Heart, page 70:

     You ſhall put in a little bag the Powder of Sandalwood with the aforeſaid well-ſcenting Spices, and heart-ſtrengthening Powders, and lay it warm upon the left breaſt.

   • 1847, R. G. A. Levinge, Echoes from the Backwoods; Or, Sketches of Transatlantic Life‎, second edition, volume 1, London: Henry Colburn, Appendix § Notes on the Trees of New Brunswick, page 288:

     The branches of the white cedar will keep off moths when placed amongst clothes or furs. Boxes of red cedar (cedar of Lebanon) will do the same, as also sandalwood.

   • 1873, Edward Balfour, editor, Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, Commercial, Industrial and Scientific: Products of the Mineral, Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures‎, volume 5, page 133:

     Sandalwood is a favorite cosmetic with Burmese ladies.