Canada balsam
noun
a pale yellow or greenish, slightly fluorescent, clear, viscous, bitter-tasting, water-insoluble liquid, having a pleasant, aromatic, pinelike odor, and solidifying on exposure to air: obtained from the balsam fir, Abies balsamea, and used chiefly for mounting objects on microscope slides, in the manufacture of fine lacquers, and as a cement for lenses.
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Also called Canada turpentine, balsam of fir.
Origin of Canada balsam
An Americanism dating back to 1810–20
Words nearby Canada balsam
Canaanitic, Canace, Canad., Canada, Canada Act, Canada balsam, Canada bluegrass, Canada Day, Canada goose, Canada jay, Canada lily
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for Canada balsam
If this consists of glass, Canada-balsam or marine glue is best.
An Elementary Text-book of the Microscope|John William Griffith
British Dictionary definitions for Canada balsam
Canada balsam
noun
a yellow transparent resin obtained from the balsam fir. Because its refractive index is similar to that of glass, it is used as an adhesive in optical devices and as a mounting medium for microscope specimens
another name for balsam fir
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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