English Explanatory Dictionary

balsam

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.
  2. A plant or tree yielding such substance.
  3. A soothing ointment.
  4. Something soothing.
  5. A flowering plant of the genus Impatiens.
  6. The balsam family of flowering plants (Balsaminaceae), which includes Impatiens and Hydrocera.
  7. A balsam fir Abies balsamea.
  8. Canada balsam, a turpentine obtained from the resin of balsam fir.
verb
  1. To treat or anoint with balsam.
name
  1. A surname from German.

Pronunciation

bôlʹsəm /ˈbɔːl.səm/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-balsam.wav /ˈbɔl.səm/ /ˈbɑl.səm/

Word forms

balsam balsams balsem balsum balsome balsaming balsamed

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon, “balsam”), of Semitic origin (Hebrew בושם (“spice, perfume”)); compare Old English balsam, balsamum (“balsam, balm”), Doublet of balm and desman. Not related to balsa.

Synonyms

balm jewelweed impatiens touch-me-not

Related words

balm balsamate balsamation Balsaminaceae balsamine balsamise balsamitic balsamize balsamo balsamous balsamum opobalsam opobalsamum xylobalsamum

Derived words

Abraham's balsam balsamaceous balsam apple balsamarium balsam Canada balsamed balsam fir balsamic balsamical balsamiferous Balsamina balsamint balsam-mint Balsam Lake balsam of Acouchi balsam of aniseed balsam of Copaiba balsam of fir balsam of Gilead balsam of Judea balsam of Mecca balsam of Peru balsam of saturn balsam of steel balsam of sulfur balsam of sulphur balsam of Tolu balsam oil balsam pear balsam poplar balsam ragwort balsamroot balsam spurge balsam-tansy balsam tree balsamweed balsam willow balsamy Canada balsam friar's balsam garden balsam Himalayan balsam imbalsamation Mecca balsam Peruvian balsam Tolu balsam true balsam Turlington's balsam Umiri balsam Wade's balsam wild balsam apple yellow balsam
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