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Balm
//bɑm// noun, verb
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America. countable, uncountable
- 2 semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation wordnet
- 3 An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead. countable, uncountable
- 4 any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing wordnet
- 5 A plant or tree yielding such substance. countable, uncountable
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- 6 Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one. countable, uncountable
- 7 Something soothing. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows."
- 8 The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis. countable, uncountable
- 9 Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horsebalm. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. archaic, transitive
"Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured / With full bags of spices!"
- 2 To soothe; to mitigate. figuratively, transitive
"This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews"
Etymology
Etymology 1
Inherited from Middle English bawme, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam and desman.
Etymology 2
Inherited from Middle English bawme, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam and desman.
See also for "balm"
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