Balsam is a sweet-smelling oil that is obtained from certain trees or bushes and used to make medicines and perfumes.
balsam in British English
(ˈbɔːlsəm)
noun
1.
any of various fragrant oleoresins, such as balm or tolu, obtained from any of several trees and shrubs and used as a base for medicines and perfumes
2.
any of various similar substances used as medicinal or ceremonial ointments
3.
any of certain aromatic resinous turpentines
See also Canada balsam
4.
any plant yielding balsam
5. Also called: busy Lizzie
any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens, esp I. balsamina, cultivated for its brightly coloured flowers
6.
anything healing or soothing
Derived forms
balsamic (bɔːlˈsæmɪk)
adjective
balsamy (ˈbalsamy)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, from Hebrew bāśām spice
balsam in American English
(ˈbɔlsəm)
noun
1.
any of various oily or gummy aromatic resins obtained from various plants and containing either benzoic or cinnamic acid
2.
any of various aromatic, resinous oils or fluids
3.
any aromatic preparation made with balsam, as certain medical dressings
4.
anything healing or soothing; balm
5.
any of various plants or trees of various families that yield balsam, as the balsamfir
6.
any of various species of the impatiens, esp. the garden balsam
adjective
7.
designating a family (Balsaminaceae, order Geraniales) of dicotyledonous plants, including jewelweedand impatiens
Derived forms
balsamic (balˈsamic) (bɔlˈsæmɪk)
adjective
Word origin
OE < L balsamum: see balm
Examples of 'balsam' in a sentence
balsam
It ran through thickets of aspen and balsam poplar and was signposted to Alder Creek and Mush Lake.
Innes, Hammond HIGH STAND (2004)
He was saved from having to speculate when Cara came in through a tight patch of young balsam trees.
Terry Goodkind NAKED EMPIRE (2004)
All related terms of 'balsam'
balsam fir
a fir tree, Abies balsamea , of NE North America , that yields Canada balsam
balsam pear
an Old World tropical vine , Momordica charantia , of the gourd family, having yellow flowers and orange-yellow fruit
Peru balsam
an aromatic balsam that is obtained from the tropical South American leguminous tree Myroxylon pereirae and is similar to balsam of Tolu
balsam apple
an ornamental cucurbitaceous vine , Momordica balsamina , of the Old World tropics , with yellow flowers and orange egg-shaped fruits
balsam family
the plant family Balsaminaceae, typified by succulent stems, alternate , opposite, or whorled simple leaves, and irregular solitary or clustered flowers, including the balsam and jewelweed
balsam poplar
a poplar tree, Populus balsamifera , of NE North America, having resinous buds and broad heart-shaped leaves
balsam spruce
either of two North American coniferous trees of the genus Picea , P . pungens (the blue spruce ) or P. engelmanni
Canada balsam
a yellow transparent resin obtained from the balsam fir . Because its refractive index is similar to that of glass, it is used as an adhesive in optical devices and as a mounting medium for microscope specimens
garden balsam
a fleshy annual garden impatiens ( Impatiens balsamina ) with roselike white, lavender , yellow, pink, or red blossoms borne along the main stem in leaf axils
gurjun balsam
any of several S or SE Asian dipterocarpaceous trees of the genus Dipterocarpus that yield a resin
copaiba balsam
a transparent yellowish viscous oleoresin obtained from certain tropical South American trees of the leguminous genus Copaifera: used in varnishes and ointments
friar's balsam
a compound containing benzoin , mixed with hot water, and used as an inhalant to relieve colds and sore throats
balsam of Peru
an aromatic balsam that is obtained from the tropical South American leguminous tree Myroxylon pereirae and is similar to balsam of Tolu
balsam of Tolu
→ tolu
Himalayan balsam
a tall flowering plant, Impatiens glandulifera , brought from Asia to Europe as a garden plant but now growing wild in Europe, esp on river banks . It is considered invasive and environmentally damaging .
tolu
an aromatic balsam obtained from a South American tree, Myroxylon balsamum
blue spruce
a spruce tree, Picea pungens glauca , native to the Rocky Mountains of North America , having blue-green needle-like leaves