balm

American  

[bahm] / bɑm /

noun

1. any of various oily, fragrant, resinous substances, often of medicinal value, exuding from certain plants, especially tropical trees of the genus Commiphora.

2. a plant or tree yielding such a substance.

3. any aromatic or fragrant ointment.

   Synonyms:

   emollient, lotion, unguent, salve

4. aromatic fragrance; sweet odor.

   the balm of orange blossoms.

5. any of various aromatic plants of the mint family, especially those of the genus Melissa, as M. officinalis lemonbalm, having ovate lemon-scented leaves used as a seasoning.

6. anything that heals, soothes, or mitigates pain.

   the balm of friendship in troubled times.

---

balm British  

/ bɑːm /

noun

1. any of various oily aromatic resinous substances obtained from certain tropical trees and used for healing and soothing See also balsam

2. any plant yielding such a substance, esp the balm of Gilead

3. something comforting or soothing

   soft music is a balm

4. any aromatic or oily substance used for healing or soothing

5. Also called: lemon balm.  an aromatic Eurasian herbaceous plant, Melissa officinalis , having clusters of small fragrant white two-lipped flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

6. a pleasant odour

---

Other Word Forms

• balmlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of balm

1175–1225; Middle English basme, ba ( u ) me < Anglo-French basme, bal ( s ) me, ba ( u ) me; Old French < Latin balsamum balsam; with orthographic l pedantically restored

Example Sentences

"I sensed very early on that chess would be a balm to soothe my sorrow, my shield against life’s uncertainties," she writes.

From Barron's

Spending time in the company of a man who has been at the heart of British literary culture for nearly 50 years is balm for the soul.

From BBC

“Greenland 2: Migration” offers up a proudly, even defiantly optimistic view of what comes after disaster, which can serve for the viewer as either cathartic fictional balm, or Pollyanna-ish fantasy — pick your poison.

From Los Angeles Times

“Honest to God, sometimes I read stuff and I go, ‘If only you knew …’ And I don’t have to apply that to myself as a balm so I stop feeling bad.

From Los Angeles Times

Light rock can be a balm for wounded souls, the movie keeps reminding us in unexpected ways.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• lotion
• ointment
• potion
• salve