balmn.1
/bɑːm/, U.S. /bɑ(l)m/ I. The aromatic resinous product.† 2. An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead. Obsolete.
1. An aromatic substance, consisting of resin mixed with volatile oils, exuding naturally from various trees of the genus Balsamodendron, and much prized for its fragrance and medicinal properties. (Cf. balsam n. 1b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > ointments, etc. > [noun] > ointment
salvea700
balsamumc885
smerlesa1000
balmc1220
salvinga1300
ointmentc1300
unguenty1721
magma1749
rub1867
c1220 Hali Meid. 13 Swote smirles..þ at is icleopet basme.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 652 Of herbes and tres, springes baum ful gude.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. v. 52 Fyn Bawme is more hevy twyes, than is the Bawme that is sophisticate.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. xxvii. 276 Brennethe a vesselle..fulle of Bawme, for to ȝeven gode smelle.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clvi. f. lxxxix He sent to hym also Tentis of Ryche sylke & baulme naturall.
1563 T. Gale Certaine Wks. Chirurg. iv. ii. f. 35 This oile hath al the vertues of true Balme.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 76 Balm slowly trickles through the bleeding Veins Of happy Shrubs, in Idumæan Plains. View more context for this quotation
1842 Ld. Tennyson St. Simeon Stylites in Poems (new ed.) II. 63 Spikenard, and balm, and frankincense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > preparation or treatment of corpse > [noun] > embalming > substances used in embalming
balma1400
embalmment1620
embalm1642
balsam1753
species1767
syrmaea1833
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11503 A bawme of wondir bitturnes þat dede men wiþ anoynt is.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxliii. 284 Kyng Henry..closed it [the body of King Richard] in a fayre cheste with dyuerse speceryes and baumes.
a1618 W. Raleigh Remains (1644) 256 Bloud must be my Bodies only Balmer..No other Balm will there be given.
3. Fragrant oil or ointment used for anointing.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > artefacts > consumables > oil > [noun]
chrisma1000
holy oilc1300
oilc1300
cream1303
reamc1390
chrisom?a1400
balm1447
Christendom?c1510
enoiling1555
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys 138 Wyth swete bawm she anoyntyd had be.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. ii. 51 Not all the water in the rough rude sea, Can wash the balme off from an annointed King. View more context for this quotation
1623 tr. A. Favyn Theater of Honour & Knight-hood ii. xiii. 254 The holy Viole or Bottell, full of Baulme.
4. figurative. Aromatic fragrance, agreeable perfume.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fragrance > [noun] > fragrant smell
savouringc1390
scent?1473
balm1483
redolencec1530
spice1560
perfumea1593
redolency1610
soot1620
fragor1638
suaveolence1657
fragrance1667
incense1667
nosegay1700
aroma1814
musk1855
petrichor1964
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 220/3 She had sothly the bame of good odour..in conuersacion.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Scotl. xii. 16/2 in R. Holinshed Chron. I The Prouerb..that the Sow reckes not of Balme.
1728 J. Thomson Spring 37 When nought but Balm is breathing thro' the Woods.
1866 B. Taylor Poems of Orient 158 I love the palm, With his leaves of beauty, his fruit of balm.
5. Aromatic ointment used for soothing pain or healing wounds; = balsam n. 2. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > ointments, etc. > [noun] > balsam
balm1393
balsamumc1540
lenitive1563
balsamo1594
balsam1597
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 315 This maister hath her every jointe With..balsme anointe.
1486 Bk. St. Albans, Hawking A iiij Anoynt the soore with bawme.
1563 T. Gale Certaine Wks. Chirurg. iv. ii. f. 34 The Baulme wherewyth greene and freshe woundes are spedilye cured.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 186 As Balm to fester'd wounds. View more context for this quotation
6. transferred or figurative. A healing, soothing, or softly restorative, agency or influence.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief
froverOE
comfortc1386
easec1440
sport1440
consolationc1460
recreatoryc1475
balm1540
balsamumc1540
solace1597
unction1604
balsama1616
demulceation1661
demulsion1661
alleviative1672
mitigation1726
salve1736
soother1794
consolement1797
heart-balm1828
1540 Bible (Great) Psalms cxli. B Let not ther preciouse balmes breake myne heed.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 13 Lo in those windowes..I powre the helplesse balme of my poore eies.
1643 N. Lockyer (title) Baulme for Bleeding England and Ireland.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 402 The soft delicious Air..Shall breath her balme . View more context for this quotation
1755 E. Young Centaur iv, in Wks. (1757) IV. 208 There is a sovereign balm in prayer.
1781 G. Crabbe Library 6 See here the balms that passion's wounds asswage.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. vii. 235 They laid them down to rest, And so received the balm of sleep.
II. Senses relating to trees.
7. A tree yielding balm; these trees belong to the genus Balsamodendron, family Amyridaceæ, and are found in Asia and northern Africa.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > medicinal trees or shrubs > [noun] > non-British medicinal trees or shrubs > balm trees or plants
balsamc1000
balma1387
balsamuma1398
bdelliuma1398
balm-tree1601
balsam-tree1601
balsamum-tree1603
Balm of Gileada1701
opobalsamum1737
maria1745
Balm of Gilead shrub1754
hyawa1825
Balm of Gilead fir1833
balm-shrub1841
balsam-fir1865
balsam-poplar1882
mountain balm1887
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. Rolls Ser. 107 Iudea is riche..of baume [L. balsamis], of olyues, of pomgarnet.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 27/1 Bawme, tre, balsamus.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 285 Bawlme ys a tree and all that ys therin ys vertuous.
1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1658) 25 The Crosier of Balm-wood, the Pastoral Staff of Cedar.
1835 Penny Cycl. III. 345/1 The bark of the above-mentioned species of balm.
III. Senses relating to herbs.
8. Name of some fragrant garden herbs (family Labiatæ); the chief are Balm Gentle or Balm-mint ( Melissa officinalis) and Bastard Balm ( Melittis melissophyllum). Also Field Balm ( Calamintha Nepeta).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > balm plants
melissa?a1425
balmc1440
melliphill1595
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > fragrant plants or plants used in perfumery > [noun] > balm plants
balmc1440
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 27 Bawme, herbe..melissa.
1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. D iiij The comon baume..is but a bastard kynde, and the true bawme..may be called in English, bawme gentle.
?1614 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses v. 73 With sweete Balme-gentle, and blue Violets hid.
1714 J. Petiver in Philos. Trans. 1713 (Royal Soc.) 28 195 Our common Garden Baulm.
1813 C. Marshall Introd. Knowl. & Pract. Gardening (ed. 5) xvi. 263 Balm is either plain or variegated.
Phrases
Thesaurus »
Categories »
Balm of Gilead n.
a. Senses relating to the resin: see also balsam n. and adj.
(a) Also balm of Mecca. A gold-coloured oleo-resin exuded from the tree Balsamodendron Gileadense, or perhaps B. Opobalsamum, formerly much esteemed as an antiseptic and vulnerary.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > ointments, etc. > [noun] > balsam > specific
opobalsamuma1398
opobalsam1526
Samaritan's balsam1640
Peruvian balsam1666
balsam of Tolu1671
tolu balsam1671
true balsam1671
balsam of saturn1694
balm of Mecca1717
balsam of Mecca1721
friar's balsam1753
Canada balsam1754
balsam of Peru1771
Riga balsam1793
balsam of Acouchi1830
solid balsam1836
Sonsonate1852
Balm of Gilead-
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxxvii. E Ismaelites commynge from Gilead, with..spyces, balme [ Wycl. swete gumme, Purvey rosyn], and myrre [‘cōmynge’ in text].
1560 Bible (Geneva) Jer. viii. 22 Is there no balme [ Wyclif, gumme, resyn; Coverdale, triacle] at Gilead? is there no Physition there?
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 85 This Oyl they take inwardly..preferring it before Balm of Gilead.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 17 June (1965) I. 368 As to the Balm of Meccha, I will certainly send you some.
(b) A factitious or ‘quack’ imitation of this.
ΚΠ
1812 Examiner 29 Nov. 765/1 The sale of the Balm of Gilead has not been quite so extensive.
(c) American Balm of Gilead: a resin obtained from the Icica carana. Balsamodendron probably yields the βάλσαμον, balsamum, of the ancients. The term ‘balm of Gilead’ is modern, and like the botanical specific name Gileadense, originated in the assumption that this is the substance mentioned in the Bible as found in Gilead, and called in the English translation ‘balm.’ But the Hebrew word tsŏri rendered ‘balm’ was not identified with βάλσαμον, balsamum by the Septuagint or Vulgate, which render it ῥητίνη, resina, resin. ‘Balm’ began with Coverdale.
b. Senses relating to trees and shrubs.
(a) The evergreen shrub Dracocephalum canariense ( Treasury Bot.); in quot. 1768 perhaps common Balm.
ΚΠ
1768 W. Watson in Philos. Trans. 1767 (Royal Soc.) 57 443 I saw even the plant, usually called Balm of Gilead..flourishing without shelter [in or near London].
(b) The balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). U.S.
ΚΠ
1784 M. Cutler in Mem. Amer. Acad. (1785) 1 491 Populus... The Black Poplar, commonly called, in the northern states, the Balm of Gilead.
1861 Trans. Illinois State Agric. Soc. 1859–60 4 448 The Balm of Gilead is hardy thousands of miles north of this.
1897 G. B. Sudworth Nomencl. Arbor. Flora U.S. 130
(c) The balsam fir (Abies balsamea). Also attributive.
ΚΠ
1854 B. P. Shillaber Life & Sayings Mrs. Partington 27 The balm-of-gilead buds and rum that occupied their position in the buffet, were not prepared for her.
1887 Scribner's Mag. Dec. 731/1 Just..pick me a handful o' balm o' Gilead buds. I want to put 'em in a half a pint o' new rum.
1902 S. Clapin Dict. Amer. 35 The tree itself is also known as Balm of Gilead, in imitation of the Eastern terebinth.
c.
Balm of Gilead fir n. the North American species yielding Canada Balsam.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > medicinal trees or shrubs > [noun] > non-British medicinal trees or shrubs > balm trees or plants
balsamc1000
balma1387
balsamuma1398
bdelliuma1398
balm-tree1601
balsam-tree1601
balsamum-tree1603
Balm of Gileada1701
opobalsamum1737
maria1745
Balm of Gilead shrub1754
hyawa1825
Balm of Gilead fir1833
balm-shrub1841
balsam-fir1865
balsam-poplar1882
mountain balm1887
1833 Penny Cycl. I. 30/1 The Balm of Gilead Fir..found..in the coldest parts of North America.
Balm of Gilead shrub n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > medicinal trees or shrubs > [noun] > non-British medicinal trees or shrubs > balm trees or plants
balsamc1000
balma1387
balsamuma1398
bdelliuma1398
balm-tree1601
balsam-tree1601
balsamum-tree1603
Balm of Gileada1701
opobalsamum1737
maria1745
Balm of Gilead shrub1754
hyawa1825
Balm of Gilead fir1833
balm-shrub1841
balsam-fir1865
balsam-poplar1882
mountain balm1887
1754 J. Hill Useful Family Herbal 21 Balm of Gilead Shrub..grows to five or six Feet high.
Compounds
C1.
a. General attributive.
(a)
balm-breathing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fragrance > [adjective]
sweet900
sootc950
aromatic1366
merrya1398
well-smellinga1398
sweet-smellingc1400
lusciousc1420
savoury?a1425
redolingc1429
redolent?a1439
odorate?1440
flagrant1450
redolentc1450
well-savouringc1450
aromatous1483
softa1500
well-aired1505
balmy1508
ambrosiana1522
embalmeda1529
fragrantc1530
perfumed1538
scented?c1562
scented1567
balm-like1569
sweet1573
aromatizate1576
aromatical1578
Sabaeana1586
ambrosial1590
rich1590
perfumed1591
sweet-scented1591
reperfumed1593
balm-breathing1595
nectaredc1595
spiced1600
fuming1601
fumed1612
scentful1612
balsam1624
perfumy1625
odoraminous1656
aroma-olent1657
suaveolent1657
aromatized1661
essenced1675
balsamy1687
flavorous1697
balsamic1714
well-scented1726
scenty1738
breathing1757
spicy1765
flavouriferous1773
aromal1848
bescented1863
euodic1868
nosy1892
1595 T. Lodge Fig for Momus v To guide the Sages of balme-breathing East.
balm-dew n.
ΚΠ
1842 Ld. Tennyson Talking Oak lxvii, in Poems (new ed.) II. 80 Balm-dews to bathe thy feet!
balm-liquor n.
ΚΠ
c1570 in J. G. Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 304 In rottin bosses no balme liquor lyes.
balm-shrub n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > medicinal trees or shrubs > [noun] > non-British medicinal trees or shrubs > balm trees or plants
balsamc1000
balma1387
balsamuma1398
bdelliuma1398
balm-tree1601
balsam-tree1601
balsamum-tree1603
Balm of Gileada1701
opobalsamum1737
maria1745
Balm of Gilead shrub1754
hyawa1825
Balm of Gilead fir1833
balm-shrub1841
balsam-fir1865
balsam-poplar1882
mountain balm1887
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes ii. 76 Odoriferous balm-shrubs.
balm-tree n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > medicinal trees or shrubs > [noun] > non-British medicinal trees or shrubs > balm trees or plants
balsamc1000
balma1387
balsamuma1398
bdelliuma1398
balm-tree1601
balsam-tree1601
balsamum-tree1603
Balm of Gileada1701
opobalsamum1737
maria1745
Balm of Gilead shrub1754
hyawa1825
Balm of Gilead fir1833
balm-shrub1841
balsam-fir1865
balsam-poplar1882
mountain balm1887
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xvi. xxxii The balm tree can abide no other place but Iury.
balm-word n.
ΚΠ
1871 J. R. Macduff Memories of Patmos vi. 75 What balm-words for the martyred disciples.
(b)
balm-like adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fragrance > [adjective]
sweet900
sootc950
aromatic1366
merrya1398
well-smellinga1398
sweet-smellingc1400
lusciousc1420
savoury?a1425
redolingc1429
redolent?a1439
odorate?1440
flagrant1450
redolentc1450
well-savouringc1450
aromatous1483
softa1500
well-aired1505
balmy1508
ambrosiana1522
embalmeda1529
fragrantc1530
perfumed1538
scented?c1562
scented1567
balm-like1569
sweet1573
aromatizate1576
aromatical1578
Sabaeana1586
ambrosial1590
rich1590
perfumed1591
sweet-scented1591
reperfumed1593
balm-breathing1595
nectaredc1595
spiced1600
fuming1601
fumed1612
scentful1612
balsam1624
perfumy1625
odoraminous1656
aroma-olent1657
suaveolent1657
aromatized1661
essenced1675
balsamy1687
flavorous1697
balsamic1714
well-scented1726
scenty1738
breathing1757
spicy1765
flavouriferous1773
aromal1848
bescented1863
euodic1868
nosy1892
1569 E. Spenser tr. J. du Bellay Sonets in T. Roest tr. J. van der Noot Theatre Worldlings sig. Cviiv With Balmelike odor did perfume the aire.
b.
balm-shed n. the season when balm is distilled.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > period > year > season > [noun] > when balm is distilled
balm-shed1840
1840 R. Browning Sordello vi. 445 Why grudge your having gained..The brakes at balm-shed.
C2.
a.
(a) attributive in domestic or medicinal preparations.
balm-tea n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > decoction or infusion > [noun] > specific decoction or infusion
sabras?c1225
tisanea1398
tamarisk1597
wort1694
sage tea?1706
poppy tea1709
yapon tea1723
herb-tea1744
spring juices1751
balm-tea1752
camomile-tea1753
uva ursi1753
nettle tea1758
bush tea1768
quassia1778
majo bitters1866
Mexican tea1866
1752 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) III. 131 Whey at 7 this morning and baume tea at 10.
1855 ‘E. S. Delamer’ Kitchen Garden 122 Balm-tea is a sudorific and febrifuge in high repute amongst village doctresses.
balm-water n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > decoction or infusion > [noun] > aqueous decoction or infusion > specific
barley waterc1320
oak-water?1523
hydrelaeon?1550
plantain-water1588
lily-water1599
napha water1600
cowslip-water1612
water of magnanimity1659
succory water1670
lime-water1682
onion-water1694
pennyroyal water1699
balm-water1712
forge-water1725
laurel-water1731
aqua mirabilis1736
tar-water1740
milk of lime1784
laurel-cherry water1787
fly-water1815
herb-water1886
1712 J. Browne tr. P. Pomet et al. Compl. Hist. Druggs I. iv. 73/2 Distill'd from White-Wine, Rose or Balm-Water.
balm-wine n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > medicinal potion or draught > [noun] > medicated wine > specific
opopanax wine?1550
mandrake winea1640
white wine whey1718
sack-whey1736
oporice1753
ipecacuanha wine1761
wine whey1769
antimonial wine1771
balm-winea1811
mandragora1844
lizard wine1894
a1811 M. Fleming Jrnl. (1934) ii. 54 Ravelston is a fine pla[ce] because I got balm win [e] and many other dain[ties].
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. vi. 117 Would you take any thing?—a glass of balm wine?
(b) Parasynthetic.
balm-leaved adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > plant defined by leaves > [adjective] > having stinging or balm-yielding leaves
nettle-leaved1731
balm-leaved1861
1861 A. Pratt Flowering Plants & Ferns Great Brit. IV. 118 Balm-leaved Figwort.
b.
balm-mint n. = balsam-mint n. at balsam n. and adj. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > yielding condiments or used in food preparation > [noun] > used to flavour beer > alecost or costmary
costmary?a1425
alecost?c1450
maudlina1475
balm-mint1562
balsam-mint1578
Bible-leaf1851
balsam-tansy1865
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 140 A kinde of mint that is called in English baum mynte.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
balmn.2
/bɑːm/, U.S. /bɑ(l)m/, Caribbean English /baːm/ Jamaican.
A faith-healing ceremony typically involving drumming, dancing, and ritual feasting; a herbal bath or other treatment administered during this. Also: the practice of performing such ceremonies or treatments. Cf. Pocomania n.
ΚΠ
1897 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 1 July 7/2 Away in the mountains of Westmoreland..may be found two revival balms conducted by Mrs. Ackinson and Mrs. Williams respectively.
1904 Folk-lore 15 92 To eradicate this obeah, he performs what he calls the ‘balm’ when he beats the patient with wet calico and rams the abdomen with clenched fists.
1989 W. Wedenoja in C. S. McClain Women as Healers (1995) 87 The practice of Balm, though it may bring one honor and respect, usually offers little in the way of income or formal prestige and power.
2004 B. L. Moore & M. A. Johnson Neither led nor Driven ii. 94 Ancestors, spirits, balms and baptisms gave ordinary Jamaicans another frame of reference.
Compounds
balmyard n. an outdoor enclosure where a balm is performed.
ΚΠ
1917 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 23 Feb. 11/7 A Balm Yard surrounded with Bible reading and prayer.
1938 Z. N. Hurston Tell my Horse i. 15 A Balm Yard is a place where they give baths, and the people who operate these yards are to their followers both doctor and priest.
1980 M. Thelwell Harder they Come iii. 90 Mother Anderson and her flock of poco jumpers held loud sessions at the balmyard every night.
2003 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 21 Feb. d4/3 These balmyards are not only patronised by the poor of the peasantry, but also by businessmen who park their expensive cars a discreet distance away.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
balmv.
/bɑːm/, U.S. /bɑ(l)m/ archaic.† 2. † b. To mix or impregnate with balm. Obsolete.† c. To smear with something resinous or sticky; also rarely, to smear on (the sticky material). Obsolete or dialect.
1. transitive. To embalm. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > preparation or treatment of corpse > prepare corpse [verb (transitive)] > embalm
balmc1300
embalmc1385
gum1419
anointa1425
seasonc1440
spice?a1475
farce1563
condite1649
balsam1855
c1300 K. Alis. 4671 Theo body was bawmed, and leyd in a schryne.
c1420 Anturs Arth. xiv Quyl the body be boumet and broȝte on a bere.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xxiv. 836/2 Shee balming it [sc. the head], sent it to her Holy Father.
1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen vi. 95 May have been a live King just after the flood, but has since lain balmed in spice.
a. To anoint with fragrant, soothing, or cleansing oil or other liquid. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > oiliness or greasiness > [verb (transitive)] > smear with unguent
smearc825
enoil1340
anointa1375
ointa1382
balm1398
nointa1400
ensalvec1485
strake1506
grimec1580
inungate1599
inunct1623
unguent1656
illite1657
lubricate1791
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) vii. xxi. 238 The sore place shall be bamyd wyth oylle of roses.
1486 Bk. St. Albans, Hawking , A vj [The hawk] fetchith moysture lyk oyle at her tayle, and bamyth her fete.
?1614 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses iv. 47 Where handmaids..Bath'd, balmd them.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. i. 46 Balme his foule head in warme distilled waters. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines of specific form > ointments, etc. > apply ointment [verb (transitive)] > mix or impregnate with balm
balm1530
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 444/2 When a medicyn is bawmed it hath a stronge savour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > viscosity > make viscous or thicken [verb (transitive)] > smear with sticky substance
limea1325
balmc1384
sticky1855
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John ix. 6 He..leyde, or bawmede, the cley on his yȝen.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xii. iv Some [bees] bryngeþ..þinges þat ben sumdel gleymy and glewy, and bawmeþ þerwith þe hyue.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Exod. ii. 3 Sche bawmede [1382 glewide] it with tar and pitch.
1857 T. Wright Dict. Obsolete & Provinc. Eng. at Bawm He bawmed and slawmed it all over mortar and wash.
3. To soothe, alleviate (pain, sorrow, etc.). archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve (suffering)
lissea1000
alightOE
allayc1225
softc1225
comfort1297
laya1300
eathea1325
allegea1375
appeasec1374
laska1375
slakea1387
releasea1393
balma1400
to bete one of one's balea1400
to cool a person's caresc1400
delivera1413
leggea1425
mitigate?a1425
repress?a1425
alleviate?a1475
allevya1500
alleve1544
leviate1545
lenify1567
allevate1570
ungrieve1589
straight1604
mulcify1653
balsama1666
solace1667
meliorate1796
a1400 Chester Pl. 165 Myrre..is beste to balmbe his thoo.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xiii. 91 This rest might yet haue balmed thy broken sinewes. View more context for this quotation
1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 123 Only death can balm thy woe.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1c1220
n.21897
v.c1300