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embalm

[em-bahm] Origin

em·balm

[em-bahm]
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; Middle English embalmen, embaumen < Old French emba(u)smer, equivalent to em- em-1 + -ba(u)smer, verbal derivative of ba(u)sme balm

em·balm·er, noun
em·balm·ment, noun
un·em·balmed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Embalm is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
to run away hurriedly; flee.
Collins
World English Dictionary
embalm (ɪmˈbɑːm)
 
vb
1.  to treat (a dead body) with preservatives, as by injecting formaldehyde into the blood vessels, to retard putrefaction
2.  to preserve or cherish the memory of
3.  poetic to give a sweet fragrance to
 
[C13: from Old French embaumer; see balm]
 
em'balmer
 
n
 
em'balmment
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

embalm
mid-14c., 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 English 1500s in imitation of Latin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

embalm em·balm (ěm-bäm')
v. em·balmed, em·balm·ing, em·balms
To treat a corpse with preservatives in order to prevent decay.

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