balsam

[bawl-suh m] /ˈbɔl səm/

noun

any of various fragrant exudations from certain trees, especially trees of the genus Commiphora, as balm-of-Gilead.

Compare balm (def 1).

the similar products yielded by the leguminous trees Myroxylon pereirae and M. balsamum, of South America.

Compare Peru balsam, tolu.

oleoresin (def 1).

any of certain transparent turpentines, as Canada balsam.

a plant or tree yielding a balsam.

balsam fir.

any of several plants belonging to the genus Impatiens, as I. balsamina, a common garden annual.

Compare balsam family.

any aromatic ointment for ceremonial or medicinal use.

any agency that heals, soothes, or restores:

the balsam of understanding and appreciation.

Origin

before 1000; Middle English balsamum, balsaum, Old English balzaman < Latin balsamum < Greek bálsamon. See balm

Related forms

balsamaceous

[bawl-suh-mey-shuh s] /ˌbɔl səˈmeɪ ʃəs/ (Show IPA), adjective

balsamic

[bawl-sam-ik] /bɔlˈsæm ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective

balsamy, adjective

Examples from the web for balsam

The tallest native cottonwood, with open crown of erect branches and sticky, resinous buds with balsam odor.
Shea butter contains several derivatives of cinnamic acid, a compound common to cinnamon and balsam trees.
The decline in moose population allows more balsam fir saplings to live.
Advocates drowning cooking smells for flooding kitchen with scent of new-mown hay or balsam, or incense.
It's balsam fir branches stuck into a foam core, with fake holly berries and a red bow.
balsam fir tip blight damages the current-season growth of the trees.
balsam boughs are the only types of boughs that can be harvested.
balsam the minstrel is one of the five minstrels who plays the bongo drums.
balsam is a term used for various pleasantly scented plant products.

British Dictionary definitions for balsam

balsam

/ˈbɔːlsəm/

noun

any of various fragrant oleoresins, such as balm or tolu, obtained from any of several trees and shrubs and used as a base for medicines and perfumes

any of various similar substances used as medicinal or ceremonial ointments

any of certain aromatic resinous turpentines See also Canada balsam

any plant yielding balsam

Also called busy Lizzie. any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens, esp I. balsamina, cultivated for its brightly coloured flowers

anything healing or soothing

Derived Forms

balsamic (bɔːlˈsæmɪk) adjective
balsamy, adjective

Word Origin

C15: from Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, from Hebrew bāśām spice

Word Origin and History for balsam

1570s, "aromatic resin used for healing wounds and soothing pains," from Latin balsamum "gum of the balsam tree" (see balm). There is an isolated Old English reference from c.1000, and Middle English used basme, baume, from the French form of the word. As a type of flowering plant of the Impatiens family, it is attested from 1741.

balsam in Science

balsam

(bôl'səm)
Any of several aromatic resins that flow from certain plants and that contain considerable amounts of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or both, or their esters. Balsams are used in perfumes and medicines.