Main Entry:

em·balm

Pronunciation:

\im-ˈbä(l)m, em-\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

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