Balsam fir

Balsam fir
Balsam Bal"sam (b[add]l"sam), n. [L. balsamum the balsam tree or its resin, Gr. ba`lsamon. See {Balm}, n.] 1. A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil. [1913 Webster]

Note: The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of Gilead, and the balsams of copaiba, Peru, and Tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name balsam has been given. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) (a) A species of tree ({Abies balsamea}). (b) An annual garden plant ({Impatiens balsamina}) with beautiful flowers; balsamine. [1913 Webster]

3. Anything that heals, soothes, or restores. [1913 Webster]

Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood? --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

{Balsam apple} (Bot.), an East Indian plant ({Momordica balsamina}), of the gourd family, with red or orange-yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a walnut, used as a vulnerary, and in liniments and poultices.

{Balsam fir} (Bot.), the American coniferous tree, {Abies balsamea}, from which the useful Canada balsam is derived.

{Balsam of copaiba}. See {Copaiba}.

{Balsam of Mecca}, balm of Gilead.

{Balsam of Peru}, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central American tree ({Myroxylon Pereir[ae]} and used as a stomachic and expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to be a product of Peru.

{Balsam of Tolu}, a reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a South American tree ({Myroxylon toluiferum}). It is highly fragrant, and is used as a stomachic and expectorant.

{Balsam tree}, any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp. the {Abies balsamea}.

{Canada balsam}, {Balsam of fir}, Canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from the balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir ({Abies balsamea}) by breaking the vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See {Balm}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • balsam fir — Fir Fir (f[ e]r), n. [Dan. fyr, fyrr; akin to Sw. furu, Icel. fura, AS. furh in furhwudu fir wood, G. f[ o]hre, OHG. forha pine, vereheih a sort of oak, L. quercus oak.] (Bot.) A genus ({Abies}) of coniferous trees, often of large size and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • balsam fir — n a resinous American evergreen tree (Abies balsamea) that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree and that is the source of Canada balsam …   Medical dictionary

  • balsam fir — ☆ balsam fir n. a flat needled evergreen tree (Abies balsamea) of the pine family, native to Canada and the N U.S.: it yields Canada balsam and a soft wood, and is used as a Christmas tree: see CONE …   English World dictionary

  • balsam fir — balzaminis kėnis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Pušinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, medieninis, vaistinis augalas (Abies balsamea), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. Iš jo gaunamas eterinis aliejus. atitikmenys: lot. Abies balsamea; Abies balsamea f.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • balsam-fir sawfly — noun : a greenish sawfly (Neodiprion abietis) that is widespread in the northern United States and Canada and has larvae which feed on and defoliate various spruces and the balsam fir …   Useful english dictionary

  • balsam fir — noun medium sized fir of northeastern North America; leaves smell of balsam when crushed; much used for pulpwood and Christmas trees • Syn: ↑balm of Gilead, ↑Canada balsam, ↑Abies balsamea • Hypernyms: ↑silver fir * * * noun, pl ⋯ firs [count] :… …   Useful english dictionary

  • balsam fir — bal′sam fir′ n. 1) pln a North American fir, Abies balsamea, having dark purplish cones and yielding Canada balsam 2) pln the wood of this tree • Etymology: 1795–1805, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • balsam fir — noun Date: 1805 a resinous North American fir (Abies balsamea) that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree and is the source of Canada balsam …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • balsam fir — 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. [1795 1805, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • balsam fir — noun a North American fir tree which yields Canada balsam. [Abies balsamea.] …   English new terms dictionary

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