Balm

Balm
Balm Balm (b[aum]m), n. [OE. baume, OF. bausme, basme, F. baume, L. balsamum balsam, from Gr. ba`lsamon; perhaps of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. b[=a]s[=a]m. Cf. {Balsam}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus {Melissa}. [1913 Webster]

2. The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. Any fragrant ointment. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Anything that heals or that mitigates pain. ``Balm for each ill.'' --Mrs. Hemans. [1913 Webster]

{Balm cricket} (Zo["o]l.), the European cicada. --Tennyson.

{Balm of Gilead} (Bot.), a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family ({Balsamodendron Gileadense}). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb {Dracocephalum Canariense} is familiarly called balm of Gilead, and so are the American trees, {Populus balsamifera}, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and {Abies balsamea} (balsam fir). [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Balm — (keltisch Höhle, Grotte, Felswand) bezeichnet: Balm (Adelsgeschlecht), bis 1308 die Freiherren der Herrschaft Balm mit der damaligen Burg und heutigen Ruine Balm (Balm bei Günsberg). Ruine Balm, eine Felsenburg bei Balm bei Günsberg Burg Balm bei …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • balm´i|ly — balm|y1 «BAH mee», adjective, balm|i|er, balm|i|est. 1. mild; gentle: »A balmy breeze blew across the lake. SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • balm|y — balm|y1 «BAH mee», adjective, balm|i|er, balm|i|est. 1. mild; gentle: »A balmy breeze blew across the lake. SYNONYM( …   Useful english dictionary

  • Balm — can refer to: *Liniment, a topical medical preparation * Melissa (plant), a plant genus, particularly the species commonly known as Lemon balm *Balm of Gilead, a medicinal resin from the North American species Populus candicans *Balsam of Mecca… …   Wikipedia

  • balm — balm; balm·i·ly; balm·i·ness; em·balm; em·balm·er; em·balm·ment; …   English syllables

  • balm — [ba:m US ba:m, ba:lm] n [U and C] [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: baume, from Latin balsamum; BALSAM] 1.) an oily liquid with a strong pleasant smell that you rub into your skin, often to reduce pain ▪ lip balm 2.) literary something that …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Balm — (Мегген,Швейцария) Категория отеля: 3 звездочный отель Адрес: Balmstr. 3, 6045 Мегген, Швейцария …   Каталог отелей

  • Balm — Balm, v. t. To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. Hence: To soothe; to mitigate. [Archaic] Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • balm — [bäm; ] occas. [ bälm] n. [ME baume < OFr basme < L balsamum, balsam < Gr balsamon < Sem (cf. Heb basam, Ar bašām] 1. an aromatic gum resin obtained from certain trees and plants (esp. genus Commiphora of the bursera family) and used… …   English World dictionary

  • balm — early 13c., basme, aromatic substance made from resins and oils, from O.Fr. basme (Mod.Fr. baume), from L. balsamum, from Gk. balsamon balsam, from Heb. basam spice, related to Aramaic busma, Arabic basham balsam, spice, perfume. Spelling… …   Etymology dictionary

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