balm

Meanings

Noun

• Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
• A plant or tree yielding such substance.
• Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
• Something soothing.
• The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis
• Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horse balm.

Verb

• To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
• To soothe; to mitigate.

Related

Similar words

• balsam

Origin

• From Middle English bawme, from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον. Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. balsam.