balsam
[ bawl-suhm ]
/ ˈbɔl səm /
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noun
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Origin of balsam
before 1000; Middle English balsamum, balsaum,Old English balzaman<Latin balsamum<Greek bálsamon.See balm
OTHER WORDS FROM balsam
bal·sa·ma·ceous [bawl-suh-mey-shuhs], /ˌbɔl səˈmeɪ ʃəs/, adjectivebal·sam·ic [bawl-som-ik, ‐sam‐], /bɔlˈsɒm ɪk, ‐ˈsæm‐/, adjectivebal·sam·y, adjectiveWords nearby balsam
baloney, balop, balopticon, BALPA, balsa, balsam, balsam apple, balsam capivi, balsam family, balsam fir, balsamic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for balsam
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 turpentinesSee 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 of balsam
balsamic (bɔːlˈsæmɪk), adjectivebalsamy, adjectiveWord Origin for balsam
C15: from Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, from Hebrew bāśām spice
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for balsam
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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