Embalm - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: Embalm

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

em·balm

Audio Help [em-bahm] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to treat (a dead body) so as to preserve it, as with chemicals, drugs, or balsams.

2.	to preserve from oblivion; keep in memory: his deeds embalmed in the hearts of his disciples.

3.	to cause to remain unchanged; prevent the development of.

4.	to impart a balmy fragrance to.

[Origin: 1300–50; ME embalmen, embaumen < OF emba(u)smer, equiv. to em- em-¹ + -ba(u)smer, v. deriv. of ba(u)sme balm

]

—Related forms

em·balm·er, noun

em·balm·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Embalm

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

em·balm Audio Help (ěm-bäm') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. em·balmed, em·balm·ing, em·balms

To treat (a corpse) with preservatives in order to prevent decay.
To protect from change or oblivion; preserve or fix: "A precedent embalms a principle" (Benjamin Disraeli).
To impart fragrance to; perfume: Spicy aromas embalmed the air.

[Middle English embaumen, from Old French embasmer : en-, in; see en-¹ + basme, balm; see balm.]

em·balm'er n., em·balm'ment n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
embalm

c.1340, from O.Fr. embaumer "preserve (a corpse) with spices," from en- "cause to be" + baume "balm" (see balm) + -er verbal suffix. The -l- inserted in Eng. 1500s in imitation of L.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

embalm
verb
preserve a dead body

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
embalm [imˈbaːm] verb

to preserve (a dead body) from decay by treatment with spices or drugs
Example: The Egyptians embalmed the corpses of their kings.

Arabic:	يُحَنِّطُ، يُصَبِّرُ
Chinese (Simplified):	（以香料等）涂尸防腐,施以防腐剂
Chinese (Traditional):	(以香料等)塗屍防腐
Czech:	balzamovat
Danish:	balsamere
Dutch:	balsemen
Estonian:	palsameerima
Finnish:	palsamoida
French:	embaumer
German:	einbalsamieren
Greek:	βαλσαμώνω, ταριχεύω
Hungarian:	bebalzsamoz
Icelandic:	smyrja
Indonesian:	membalsem
Italian:	imbalsamare

Japanese:	防腐保存する
Korean:	(시체를) 방부 처리하다
Latvian:	iebalzamēt
Lithuanian:	balzamuoti
Norwegian:	balsamere
Polish:	balsamować
Portuguese (Brazil):	embalsamar
Portuguese (Portugal):	embalsamar
Romanian:	a îmbălsăma
Russian:	бальзамировать
Slovak:	balzamovať
Slovenian:	balzamirati
Spanish:	embalsamar
Swedish:	balsamera
Turkish:	mumyalamak

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Embalm

Em*balm"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Embalmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Embalming.] [F. embaumer; pref. em- (L. in) + baume balm. See Balm.]

1. To anoint all over with balm; especially, to preserve from decay by means of balm or other aromatic oils, or spices; to fill or impregnate (a dead body), with aromatics and drugs that it may resist putrefaction.

Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm ?is father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. --Gem. l. 2.

2. To fill or imbue with sweet odor; to perfume.

With fresh dews embalmed the earth. --Milton.

3. To preserve from decay or oblivion as if with balm; to perpetuate in remembrance.

Those tears eternal that embalm the dead. --Pope.

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