embalm

One entry found for embalm.

Main Entry: em·balm
Pronunciation: im-'bä(l)m, em-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm -- more at BALM
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 /-'bä(l)m-m&nt, -'b[a']m-/ noun