balsam fir

American  

noun

1. a North American fir, Abies balsamea, having dark purplish cones and yielding Canada balsam.

2. the wood of this tree.

3. any of certain other firs.

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balsam fir British  

noun

1. Also called: balsam, Canada balsam.. a fir tree, Abies balsamea , of NE North America, that yields Canada balsam See also balm of Gilead

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Etymology

Origin of balsam fir

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balsam fir

Overpopulation of the lumbering mammals were causing their own starvation as they outstripped available balsam fir trees — their primary food during long, snowbound winters, Michigan Technological University biologists said.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 14, 2023

The cubed porcelain floor tiles in wood-grained, wire-brushed balsam fir from Daltile were one of the design elements that hiked the budget.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2019

John Vucetich, a population biologist who is one of the study’s two principal investigators, worries that relocating a large number of wolves to the island within the next five years won’t save the balsam fir.

From Nature ● Dec. 19, 2016

Gov. Peter Shumlin is planning to light the tree, a 32-foot balsam fir that was harvested in the Green Mountain National Forest near Hancock.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 29, 2015

Bring us one large Christmas tree, a balsam fir, fifteen feet tall, at least, and wide-spreading.

From A Busy Year at the Old Squire's by C. A. (Charles Asbury) Stephens