Balaam
[ bey-luhm ]
/ ˈbeɪ ləm /
Save This Word!
noun
a Mesopotamian diviner who, when commanded by Balak to curse the Israelites, blessed them and uttered favorable prophecies after having been rebuked by the ass he rode. Numbers 22–23.
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Origin of Balaam
From Late Latin Balaam, from Greek Balaám, from Hebrew Bilʿām, of uncertain origin
OTHER WORDS FROM Balaam
Ba·laam·ite [bey-luh-mahyt], /ˈbeɪ ləˌmaɪt/, nounBa·laam·it·i·cal [bey-luh-mit-i-kuhl], /ˌbeɪ ləˈmɪt ɪ kəl/, adjectiveWords nearby Balaam
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use Balaam in a sentence
Uncle, you and Brother Balaam are bosom friends—why don't you get his paper to persecute us, too?
The Gilded Age, Complete|Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner"I reckon you can, Charley Balaam, if you are friendly," said Yancy.
The Prodigal Judge|Vaughan KesterSquire Balaam removed his spectacles and leaned back in his chair.
The Prodigal Judge|Vaughan Kester
British Dictionary definitions for Balaam
Balaam
/ (ˈbeɪlæm) /
noun
Old Testament a Mesopotamian diviner who, when summoned to curse the Israelites, prophesied future glories for them instead, after being reproached by his ass (Numbers 22–23)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012