balm

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
2. (countable, uncountable) An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead.
3. (countable, uncountable) A plant or tree yielding such substance.
4. (countable, uncountable) Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
5. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) Something soothing.
6. (countable, uncountable) The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis.
7. (countable, uncountable) Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horsebalm.

Verb

1. (archaic, transitive) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To soothe; to mitigate.

Synonyms

balsam

ointment

salve

unguent

unction

fragrance

aroma

paint

perfume

plaster

pomade

scent

embalming fluid

perfumed oil

oleoresin

medicine

💊

anointing oil

balm mint

cerate

cream

emollient

lemon balm

lotion

melissa

Translations

baume

balsamo

bálsamo

balsem

βάλσαμο

Balsam

bálsamo

pommade

mélisse

bàlsam

بلسم

Melisse

unguento

unguentum

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɑːm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bawme

In summary

Inherited from Middle English bawme, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam and desman.