balsam-fir
balsam fir
noun
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.
Origin:
1795–1805, Americanism
1795–1805, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
balsam of fir
noun
00:10
Balsam-fir
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
Canada balsam
noun
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.
Also called Canada turpentine, balsam of fir.
Origin:
1810–20, Americanism
1810–20, Americanism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To balsam-fir
Collins
World English Dictionary
| balsam fir | |
| —n | |
| See also balm of Gilead balsam, Also called: Canada balsam. a fir tree, Abies balsamea, of NE North America, that yields Canada balsam | |
| Canada balsam | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a yellow transparent resin obtained from the balsam fir. Because its refractive index is similar to that of glass, it is used as an adhesive in optical devices and as a mounting medium for microscope specimens |
| 2. | another name for balsam fir |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
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