balsam

Meaning

Noun

1. A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.
2. A plant or tree yielding such substance.
3. A soothing ointment.
4. Something soothing.
5. A flowering plant of the genus Impatiens.
6. The balsam family of flowering plants (Balsaminaceae), which includes Impatiens and Hydrocera.
7. A balsam fir Abies balsamea.
8. Canada balsam, a turpentine obtained from the resin of balsam fir.

Verb

To treat or anoint with balsam.

Synonyms

balm

ointment

salve

unguent

snapweed

poplar

spruce

tamarack

unction

white fir

grand fir

oleoresin

aspen

maram

cedar

copaiba

cottonwood

garden balsam

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbɔːlsəm/

Etymology

Cognate with Old English: balsam

In summary

Borrowed from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon, “balsam”), of Semitic origin (Hebrew בושם (“spice, perfume”)); compare Old English balsam, balsamum (“balsam, balm”), Doublet of balm. Not related to balsa.