balsam

English

/ˈbɔːlsəm/

noun
Definitions
  • (chiefly) A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.
  • (chiefly) A plant or tree yielding such substance.
  • (chiefly) A soothing ointment.
  • (chiefly) Something soothing.
  • A flowering plant of the genus Impatiens.
  • The balsam family of flowering plants (Balsaminaceae), which includes Impatiens and .
  • A balsam fir Abies balsamea.
  • Canada balsam, a turpentine obtained from the resin of balsam fir.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English *balsam inherited from Old English balsam derived from Latin balsamum derived from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (balsam, balsam-bearing tree, plant) derived from Hebrew (modern) בושם (perfume, spice).

Origin

Hebrew (Modern Ashkenazic)

בושם

Gloss

perfume, spice

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms