Definitions for balmbɑm

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

balmbɑm(n.)

  1. any of various fragrant gum resins used in perfumery or medicine, esp. from tropical trees of the genus Commiphora, of the bursera family.

    Category: Plants, Pharmacology

  2. a plant or tree yielding such a substance.

    Category: Plants

  3. any aromatic or fragrant ointment used for healing, soothing, or mitigating pain.

  4. aromatic fragrance.

  5. any of various aromatic plants of the mint family, esp. those of the genus Melissa, having ovate, scented leaves.

    Category: Plants

  6. anything that heals, soothes, or mitigates pain:

    the balm of friendship.

Origin of balm:

1175–1225; ME basme < AF, OF < L balsamumbalsam

Princeton's WordNet

  1. balm(noun)

    any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing

  2. ointment, unction, unguent, balm, salve(noun)

    semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

Wiktionary

  1. balm(Noun)

    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.

  2. balm(Noun)

    A plant or tree yielding such substance.

  3. balm(Noun)

    Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.

    There is a balm in Gilead.... (Spiritual)

  4. balm(Noun)

    Something soothing.

  5. balm(Noun)

    Any of various aromatic plants of the genus Melissa, such as lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) or bee balm.

  6. Origin: From basme, from balsamum.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Balm(noun)

    an aromatic plant of the genus Melissa

  2. Balm(noun)

    the resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs

  3. Balm(noun)

    any fragrant ointment

  4. Balm(noun)

    anything that heals or that mitigates pain

  5. Balm(verb)

    to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. Hence: To soothe; to mitigate


Translations for balm

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

balm(noun)

something that soothes

The music was balm to my ears.

Get even more translations for balm »


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