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.

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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

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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.

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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

It was a beach day, by Maine standards — slightly overcast and moderately balmy, with a hint of balsam in the air.

From New York Times • Aug. 25, 2023

“That balsam grew 6 inches over the weekend,” says program manager Anika Goldner, leaning in to sniff the blossoms, which smell — believe it not — like chocolate Tootsie Pops.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

People allergic to propolis may also react to balsam of Peru, carnauba wax or fragrances.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2023

Derrick—with a braid almost as long as mine hanging over his neck and dangling like a vine—was in a pine straight across the road from where I was perched in sticky balsam.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

• lotion
• ointment
• potion
• salve