embalm

em·balm

transitive verb \im-ˈbä(l)m, em-\

Definition of EMBALM

1

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

2

: to fill with sweet odors : perfume

3

: to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve <embalm a hero's memory>

4

: to fix in a static condition

— em·balm·er noun

— em·balm·ment \-ˈbä(l)m-mənt, -ˈbȧm-\ noun

Origin of EMBALM

Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm — more at balm

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with EMBALM

A-bomb, aplomb, ashram, bee balm, buzz bomb, car bomb, Ceram, cheongsam, coulomb, Coulomb, dive-bomb, dot-com, EPROM, firebomb, grande dame, H-bomb, imam, Islam, Long Tom, napalm, nizam, noncom, oil palm, phenom, pogrom, pom-pom, réclame, rhabdom, salaam, sitcom, skip bomb, Songnam, stink bomb, tam-tam, therefrom, time bomb, tom-tom, wax palm, wherefrom, wigwam

em·balm

transitive verb \im-ˈbä(l)m, New England also -ˈbȧm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of EMBALM

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

—em·balm·er noun

—em·balm·ment \-ˈbä(l)m-mənt\ (audio pronunciation) noun