balsam

American  

[bawl-suhm] / ˈbɔl səm /

noun

1. any of various fragrant exudations from certain trees, especially trees of the genus Commiphora, as balm-of-Gilead.

2. the similar products yielded by the leguminous trees Myroxylon pereirae and M. balsamum, of South America.

3. oleoresin.

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.

8. any aromatic ointment for ceremonial or medicinal use.

9. any agency that heals, soothes, or restores.

   the balsam of understanding and appreciation.

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balsam British  

/ 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 called: busy Lizzie.  any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens , esp I. balsamina , cultivated for its brightly coloured flowers

6. anything healing or soothing

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balsam Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• balsamaceous adjective
• balsamic adjective
• balsamy adjective

Etymology

Origin of balsam

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

Explanation

Balsam is a scented sap that many trees produce. The substance that makes a Christmas tree smell incredibly good is balsam. Balsam is made of a type of sticky oil, specifically known as resin. The word usually connotes the smell of a pine or fir tree; balsam incense and balsam-scented candles have this rich, woodsy odor. But other plants and trees produce balsam as well. The word's Hebrew root is basam, which means "spice or perfume."

Example Sentences

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 • Dec. 21, 2023

“That balsam grew 6 inches over the weekend,” says program manager Anika Goldner, leaning in to sniff the blossoms, which smell — believe it not — like chocolate Tootsie Pops.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

Overpopulation of the lumbering mammals were causing their own starvation as they outstripped available balsam fir trees — their primary food during long, snowbound winters, Michigan Technological University biologists said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Here’s an old-style Bordeaux, a 50-50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot with balsam and tree bark surrounding a core of dried fruit and spice.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2023

The spray — one- half pound of DDT to the acre in a solution of oil — filtered down through the balsam forests and some of it finally reached the ground and the flowing streams.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• lotion
• ointment
• potion
• salve