Balm of Gilead

Balm of Gilead
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 in Gilead — is a 1965 play written by American playwright Lanford Wilson. Dramatic structureWilson s first full length effort, Balm in Gilead centers on a cafe frequented by heroin addicts, prostitutes (both male and female) and thieves. It features many… …   Wikipedia

  • balm of Gilead — balm of Gil·e·ad gil ē əd n 1) a small evergreen African and Asian tree (Commiphora meccanensis of the family Burseraceae) with aromatic leaves 2) a fragrant oleoresin from the balm of Gilead called also Mecca balsam * * * 1. the balsam poplar… …   Medical dictionary

  • balm of Gilead — n. 〚in allusion to Jer. 8:22〛 1. a) a small evergreen tree (Commiphora opobalsamum) of the bursera family native to Asia and Africa b) the resinous juice of this tree, used in ancient times in an aromatic ointment 2. anything healing or soothing… …   Universalium

  • balm of Gilead — n. [in allusion to Jer. 8:22] 1. a) a small evergreen tree (Commiphora opobalsamum) of the bursera family native to Asia and Africa b) the resinous juice of this tree, used in ancient times in an aromatic ointment 2. anything healing or soothing… …   English World dictionary

  • Balm of Gilead — For literary mentions of balm in Gilead or balm of Gilead , see Balsam of Mecca. For other uses, see Balm of Gilead (disambiguation). Balm of Gilead is a healing compound (a balm) made from the resinous gum of the North American tree species… …   Wikipedia

  • balm of Gilead — didžialapė tuopa statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Gluosninių šeimos dekoratyvinis, medieninis, vaistinis augalas (Populus ×jackii), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Populus × jackii angl. balm of Gilead; balm of Gilead; balm of… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • balm-of-Gilead — didžialapė tuopa statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Gluosninių šeimos dekoratyvinis, medieninis, vaistinis augalas (Populus ×jackii), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Populus × jackii angl. balm of Gilead; balm of Gilead; balm of… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • balm of Gilead — Opobalsam Op o*bal sam, Opobalsamum Op o*bal sa*mum, n. [L. opobalsamum, Gr. ?; ? vegetable juice + ? balsam.] (Med.) The old name of the aromatic resinous juice of the {Balsamodendron opobalsamum}, now commonly called {balm of Gilead}. See under …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • balm of Gilead — [ gɪlɪad] noun 1》 a fragrant medicinal resin obtained from certain trees. 2》 a tree that yields balm of Gilead. [Commiphora gileadensis (Arabia) and other species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • balm-of-Gilead — balzaminis miramedis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Burserinių šeimos vaistinis augalas (Commiphora gileadensis), paplitęs Afrikoje ir pietvakarių Azijoje. Iš jo gaunami lipai, naudojamas smilkalams. atitikmenys: lot. Commiphora… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

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