balsam
[ bawl-suh m ]
/ ˈbɔl səm /
noun
Origin of balsam
before 1000; Middle English
balsamum, balsaum, Old English
balzaman < Latin
balsamum < Greek
bálsamon. See
balm
OTHER WORDS FROM balsam
bal·sa·ma·ceous [bawl-suh-mey-shuh s] /ˌbɔl səˈmeɪ ʃəs/, adjective bal·sam·ic [bawl-sam-ik] /bɔlˈsæm ɪk/, adjective bal·sam·y, adjectiveWords nearby balsam
balop,
balopticon,
balpa,
balqash,
balsa,
balsam,
balsam apple,
balsam capivi,
balsam family,
balsam of peru,
balsam of tolu
Example sentences from the Web for balsam
British Dictionary definitions for balsam
balsam
/ (ˈbɔːlsəm) /
noun
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
any of various similar substances used as medicinal or ceremonial ointments
any of certain aromatic resinous turpentines
See also Canada balsam
any plant yielding balsam
Also called: busy Lizzie
any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens, esp I. balsamina, cultivated for its brightly coloured flowers
anything healing or soothing
Derived forms of balsam
balsamic (bɔːlˈsæmɪk), adjective balsamy, adjectiveWord Origin for balsam
C15: from Latin
balsamum, from Greek
balsamon, from Hebrew
bāśām spice
Scientific definitions for balsam
balsam
[ bôl′səm ]
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.