| 1. | a North American fir, Abies balsamea, having dark purplish cones and yielding Canada balsam. |
| 2. | the wood of this tree. |
| 3. | any of certain other firs. |
| Canada balsam. |
| a pale yellow or greenish, slightly fluorescent, clear, viscous, bitter-tasting, water-insoluble liquid, having a pleasant, aromatic, pinelike odor, and solidifying on exposure to air: obtained from the balsam fir, Abies balsamea, and used chiefly for mounting objects on microscope slides, in the manufacture of fine lacquers, and as a cement for lenses. |
balsam fir  (click for larger image in new window) n. A North American tree (Abies balsamea) having a pyramidal shape and flattened needles. It is widely used as a Christmas tree and yields Canada balsam and pulpwood. |