balsam

[ bawl-suhm ]

noun

1. any of various fragrant exudations from certain trees, especially trees of the genus Commiphora, as balm-of-Gilead. Compare balm ( def 1 ).
2. the similar products yielded by the leguminous trees Myroxylon pereirae and M. balsamum, of South America. Compare Peru balsam, tolu.
3. oleoresin ( def 1 ).
4. any of certain transparent turpentines, as Canada balsam.
5. a plant or tree yielding a balsam.
6. balsam fir.
7. any of several plants belonging to the genus Impatiens, as I. balsamina, a common garden annual. Compare balsam family.
8. any aromatic ointment for ceremonial or medicinal use.
9. any agency that heals, soothes, or restores:

   the balsam of understanding and appreciation.

balsam

/ ˈbɔːlsəm; bɔːlˈsæmɪk /

noun

1. any of various fragrant oleoresins, such as balm or tolu, obtained from any of several trees and shrubs and used as a base for medicines and perfumes
2. any of various similar substances used as medicinal or ceremonial ointments
3. any of certain aromatic resinous turpentines See also Canada balsam
4. any plant yielding balsam
5. Also calledbusy Lizzie any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens , esp I. balsamina , cultivated for its brightly coloured flowers
6. anything healing or soothing

balsam

/ bôl′səm /

1. Any of several aromatic resins that flow from certain plants and that contain considerable amounts of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or both, or their esters. Balsams are used in perfumes and medicines.

Derived Forms

• ˈbalsamy, adjective
• balsamic, adjective

Other Words From

• bal·sa·ma·ceous [bawl-s, uh, -, mey, -sh, uh, s], adjective
• bal·sam·ic [bawl-, som, -ik, ‐-, sam, ‐], adjective
• bal·sam·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of balsam¹

before 1000; Middle English balsamum, balsaum, Old English balzaman < Latin balsamum < Greek bálsamon. See balm

Word History and Origins

Origin of balsam¹

C15: from Latin balsamum , from Greek balsamon , from Hebrew bāśām spice

Example Sentences

She was greeted by the beautiful display: clear jars and magnificent flasks contained oils, balsams, and waxes.

From Literature

Walcott studied the fossils by cutting them into sections of paper-thin slices of rock and attaching them to glass slides using balsam sap.

From Science Daily

But on the Isle Royale National Park near Michigan’s border with Canada, balsam firs were being devoured.

From Seattle Times

“I thought they were real — it said the wreaths had something like 200 balsam tips,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Surround them with the woodsy scent of fir balsam, cedar, juniper, sap and pine needle and damp moss in these charcoal incense cones in a black tin.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• lotion
• ointment
• potion
• salve