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Canada balsam

noun

  1. a pale yellow or greenish, slightly fluorescent, clear, viscous, bitter-tasting, water-insoluble liquid, having a pleasant, aromatic, pinelike odor, and solidifying on exposure to air: obtained from the balsam fir, Abies balsamea, and used chiefly for mounting objects on microscope slides, in the manufacture of fine lacquers, and as a cement for lenses.


Canada balsam

noun

  1. a yellow transparent resin obtained from the balsam fir. Because its refractive index is similar to that of glass, it is used as an adhesive in optical devices and as a mounting medium for microscope specimens
  2. another name for balsam fir
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of Canada balsam1

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20
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Example Sentences

If this consists of glass, Canada-balsam or marine glue is best.

Some are best in a resinous medium, such as Canada Balsam, but most tissues are obscured or entirely obliterated in this medium.

From this source the "Canada Balsam" gum of commerce is taken.

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