balm

balm

noun \ˈbä(l)m\

Definition of BALM

1

: a balsamic resin; especially : one from small tropical evergreen trees (genus Commiphora of the family Burseraceae)

2

: an aromatic preparation (as a healing ointment)

3

: any of several aromatic plants of the mint family; especially : lemon balm

4

: a spicy aromatic odor

5

: a soothing restorative agency

Examples of BALM

1. Art can be a balm to the soul.
2. She shows that laughter is a balm for difficult times.

Origin of BALM

Middle English basme, baume, from Anglo-French, from Latin balsamum balsam

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to BALM

Synonyms

aroma, attar (also otto), fragrance, bouquet, fragrancy, incense, perfume, redolence, scent, spice

Antonyms

fetor, malodor, reek, stench, stink

Related Words

essence, odor

Other Pharmacology Terms

anodyne, cathartic, emetic, emollient, liniment, paregoric, poultice, purgative, soporific, spectrum

Rhymes with BALM

bomb, bombe, calm, gaum, Guam, glom, mom, palm, Pom, pram, prom, psalm, ROM, tom

balm

noun \ˈbä(l)m, New England also ˈbȧm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BALM

1

: a balsamic resin; especially : one from small tropical evergreen trees (genus Commiphora of the family Burseraceae)

2

: an aromatic preparation (as a healing ointment)

3

: a soothing restorative agency

balm

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of several fragrant herbs of the mint family, particularly Melissa officinalis (balm gentle, or lemon balm), cultivated in temperate climates for its fragrant leaves, which are used as a scent in perfumes and as a flavouring. The name is also applied to Melittis melissophyllum (bastard balm), Monarda didyma (bergamot, or bee balm), Collinsonia canadensis (horse balm), Glecoma hederacea and Satureja (Calamintha) nepeta (field balm), and Molucella laevis (Molucca balm, or bells of Ireland), as well as to aromatic substances from species of Commiphora (trees and shrubs of the incense-tree family).