Mastic is a resin drawn from Pistacia lentiscus, a tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Mastic was once used as a protective dressing for wounds. Today, it is used to make fine varnishes for artwork.
The term mastic also refers to a group of adhesive compounds used to fasten floor, ceiling, and wall tiles. Such mastics are usually applied in thick layers with a knife or with such tools as trowels or spatulas, which have a broad, flat blade.
