Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Balm
Balm
(bäm)
, Noun.
[OE.
baume
, OF. bausme
, basme
, F. baume
, L. balsamum
balsam, from Gr. βάλσαμον
; perhaps of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. bāsām
. Cf. Balsam
.] 1.
(Bot.)
An aromatic plant of the genus
Melissa
. 2.
The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs.
Dryden.
3.
Any fragrant ointment.
Shak.
4.
Anything that heals or that mitigates pain.
“Balm for each ill.” Mrs. Hemans.
Balm cricket
(Zool.)
, the European cicada.
Tennyson.
– Balm of Gilead
(Bot.)
, a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family (
Balsamodendron Gileadense
). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb Dracocephalum Canariense
is familiarly called balm of Gilead, and so are the American trees, Populus balsamifera
, variety candicans
(balsam poplar), and Abies balsamea
(balsam fir).Balm
,Verb.
T.
To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
Hence:
To soothe; to mitigate.
[Archaic]
Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Balm
B'ALM
,Noun.
1.
The sap or juice of trees or shrubs remarkable odoriferous or aromatic.2.
Any fragrant or valuable ointment.3.
Anything which heals, or which soothes or mitigates pain.4.
In botany, the name of several plants, particularly of the genus Melissa. They are aromatic and used as corroborants.Balm of Gilead. A plant of the genus Amyris. Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this plant is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca or of Syria. It has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm bitterish aromatic taste, and an acidulous fragrant smell. It is valued as an odoriferous unguent, and cosmetic, by the Turks, who possess the country of its growth, and hence it is adulterated for market.
B'ALM
,Verb.
T.
2.
To soothe; to mitigate; to assuage.