balsam

American  

[bawl-suhm] / ˈbɔl səm /

noun

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

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

3. oleoresin.

4. any of certain transparent turpentines, as Canada balsam.

5. a plant or tree yielding a balsam.

6. balsam fir.

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

8. any aromatic ointment for ceremonial or medicinal use.

9. any agency that heals, soothes, or restores.

   the balsam of understanding and appreciation.

---

balsam British  

/ ˈbɔːlsəm, bɔːlˈsæmɪk /

noun

1. 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

2. any of various similar substances used as medicinal or ceremonial ointments

3. any of certain aromatic resinous turpentines See also Canada balsam

4. any plant yielding balsam

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

6. anything healing or soothing

---

balsam Scientific  

/ bôl′səm /

1. 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.

---

Other Word Forms

• balsamaceous adjective
• balsamic adjective
• balsamy adjective

Etymology

Origin of balsam

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

Explanation

Balsam is a scented sap that many trees produce. The substance that makes a Christmas tree smell incredibly good is balsam. Balsam is made of a type of sticky oil, specifically known as resin. The word usually connotes the smell of a pine or fir tree; balsam incense and balsam-scented candles have this rich, woodsy odor. But other plants and trees produce balsam as well. The word's Hebrew root is basam, which means "spice or perfume."

Example Sentences

Walcott studied the fossils by cutting them into sections of paper-thin slices of rock and attaching them to glass slides using balsam sap.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

Home Depot’s Grand Duchess, an artificial, 7.5-foot balsam fir that comes with 250 color-changing lights, became known as “the viral Christmas tree” on TikTok.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 2, 2023

Even now, its balsam firs continue to deteriorate from moose browsing and an attack of tree-killing spruce budworm, the report said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Here’s an old-style Bordeaux, a 50-50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot with balsam and tree bark surrounding a core of dried fruit and spice.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2023

On this he rose and placed the bed of balsam near the fire, strewing sheepskins on top, and skins of goats.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Related Words

• lotion
• ointment
• potion
• salve