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Canada balsam
noun
- 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
- 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
- another name for balsam fir
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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.
From Project Gutenberg
Some are best in a resinous medium, such as Canada Balsam, but most tissues are obscured or entirely obliterated in this medium.
From Project Gutenberg
From this source the "Canada Balsam" gum of commerce is taken.
From Project Gutenberg
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