Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: balsam, balm
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A plant or tree yielding such substance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: balsam
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: balsam
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Something soothing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, figuratively, uncountable
Synonyms: balsam
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horsebalm.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To soothe; to mitigate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: ointment, unction, unguent, salve
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: remedy, curative, cure, therapeutic
Narrower terms: arnica, baby oil, balsam, carron oil, cerate, chrism, chrisom, sacramental oil, holy oil, lip balm, mentholated salve, mercurial ointment, zinc ointment
noun
any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: balsam
Narrower terms: balm of Gilead
History
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.
Across languages
3 source translations are retained for this English entry.
