balm

English

/bɑːm/, /bɑm/

noun
Definitions
  • 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.
  • (figuratively) 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.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French baume derived from Old French basme derived from Latin balsamum derived from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (balsam, balsam-bearing tree, plant).

Origin

Ancient Greek

βάλσαμον

Gloss

balsam, balsam-bearing tree, plant

Concept
Semantic Field

Agriculture and vegetation

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

植

Emoji
☘️ 🌰 🌲 🌳 🌴 🌵 🍀 🏵️ 🥀 🪴

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms