balsam Hear it!

balsam definition

bal·sam (bôl′səm)

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 balsam fir
  6. any of various species of the impatiens, esp. the garden balsam

Etymology: OE < L balsamum: see balm

adjective

designating a family (Balsaminaceae, order Geraniales) of dicotyledonous plants, including jewelweed and impatiens

Related Forms:

  • balsamic bal·sam′ic (-sam′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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