balm
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Old French basme, from Latin balsamum.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (UK) IPA: /bɑːm/, X-SAMPA: /bA:m/
- (US) IPA: /bɑm/, /bɑlm/, X-SAMPA: /bAm/, /bAlm/
- Rhymes: -ɑːm
- Homophone: bomb
Noun[edit]
balm (plural balms)
- Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
- A plant or tree yielding such substance.
- Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
- There is a balm in Gilead.... (Spiritual)
- (figuratively) Something soothing.
- Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.
- Any of various aromatic plants of the genus Melissa, such as lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) or bee balm.
Synonyms[edit]
- (aromatic resin): balsam
- (plant or tree): balsam
- (soothing oil or lotion): balsam
- (something soothing): balsam
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from some plants — see balsam
plant or tree yielding such substance — see balsam
soothing lotion — see balsam
figurative: something soothing — see balsam
See also[edit]
Verb[edit]
balm (third-person singular simple present balms, present participle balming, simple past and past participle balmed)
- (archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
- (figuratively) To soothe; to mitigate.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
