balm

[ bahm ]

noun

1. any of various oily, fragrant, resinous substances, often of medicinal value, exuding from certain plants, especially tropical trees of the genus Commiphora.
2. a plant or tree yielding such a substance.
3. any aromatic or fragrant ointment.

   Synonyms: emollient, lotion, unguent, salve

4. aromatic fragrance; sweet odor:

   the balm of orange blossoms.

5. any of various aromatic plants of the mint family, especially those of the genus Melissa, as M. officinalis lemonbalm, having ovate lemon-scented leaves used as a seasoning.
6. anything that heals, soothes, or mitigates pain:

   the balm of friendship in troubled times.

balm

/ bɑːm /

noun

1. any of various oily aromatic resinous substances obtained from certain tropical trees and used for healing and soothing See also balsam
2. any plant yielding such a substance, esp the balm of Gilead
3. something comforting or soothing

   soft music is a balm

4. any aromatic or oily substance used for healing or soothing
5. Also calledlemon balm an aromatic Eurasian herbaceous plant, Melissa officinalis , having clusters of small fragrant white two-lipped flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
6. a pleasant odour

Derived Forms

• ˈbalmˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• balmlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of balm¹

1175–1225; Middle English basme, ba ( u ) me < Anglo-French basme, bal ( s ) me, ba ( u ) me; Old French < Latin balsamum balsam; with orthographic l pedantically restored

Word History and Origins

Origin of balm¹

C13: from Old French basme , from Latin balsamum balsam

Example Sentences

I saw Leon’s production before the election and found it balm for the soul of a divided nation.

From Los Angeles Times

As a healing balm, this may feel thin.

From Salon

That’s why watching swearing Aussies fall in love while they care for a scruffy pup with wheel-aided hind legs is the soothing balm our brains need right now.

From Los Angeles Times

For most of its decade-plus run, the reality competition baking show has been a television balm for anxious viewers.

From Los Angeles Times

Hiker Sacha Papouban couldn’t find a lip balm that worked.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lotion
• ointment
• potion
• salve