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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.


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

"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

Etymology

Origin of balsam fir

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Dennis mainly harvests balsam fir, supplemented with cedar, pine and juniper.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2022

Filson Workshop Balsam Pillow: This handsome and petite 6-inch wool pillow from the Seattle heritage brand is stuffed with balsam fir needles to keep his office, workshop or car smelling like the forest.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2021

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

Peterson said the park’s balsam fir trees, the preferred food for moose during winter, are being overeaten.

From Washington Times • Apr. 18, 2017

Yet perhaps that which contains in itself the greatest number of the elements of beauty, is the medium-sized pyramidal tree, be it of spruce, Norway pine, or balsam fir.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 2, August, 1863 Devoted to Literature and National Policy by Various