Nearby Words

balms

[bahm] Origin

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.
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.
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6.
anything that heals, soothes, or mitigates pain: the balm of friendship in troubled times.
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Origin:
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

balm·like, adjective

balm, bomb.


3. salve, unguent, lotion, emollient.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Balms is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

balm
early 13c., basme, from O.Fr. basme (Mod.Fr. baume), from L. balsamum, from Gk. balsamon "balsam," from Heb. basam "spice," related to Aram. busma, Arabic basham "balsam, spice, perfume." Spelling refashioned 15c.-16c. on L. model. Sense of "healing or soothing influence" (1540s) is from aromatic preparations
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from balsam (see balsam). Biblical Balm of Gilead, however, began with Coverdale; the Heb. word there is tsori, which was rendered in Septuagint and Vulgate as "resin" (Gk. rhetine, L. resina).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

balm (bäm)
n.

  1. An aromatic salve or oil.

  2. A soothing, healing, or comforting agent.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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