balm

== English == === Etymology === Inherited from Middle English bawme, borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam and desman. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /bɑːm/ (US) IPA(key): /bɑm/, /bɔm/, /bɑlm/, /bɔlm/, (obsolete) /bæm/ Rhymes: -ɑːm, -ɑːlm Homophones: calm, palm, harm, farm, bomb, BOM (for many speakers with the father-bother merger) === Noun === balm (countable and uncountable, plural balms) 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. Synonyms: balsam, balm An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead. A plant or tree yielding such substance. Synonym: balsam Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one. Synonym: balsam (figuratively) Something soothing. Synonym: balsam The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis. Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horsebalm. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== → Welsh: balm ==== Translations ==== === Verb === balm (third-person singular simple present balms, present participle balming, simple past and past participle balmed) (transitive, archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal. (transitive, figurative) To soothe; to mitigate. === See also === lotion ointment unguent === References === === Anagrams === ALBM, BAML, BLAM, LBMA, Lamb, blam, lamb == Welsh == === Etymology === Borrowed from English balm. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /balm/ Rhymes: -alm === Noun === balm m (uncountable) balm, balsam Synonym: (obsolete) bawm lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) Synonym: bawm === Mutation === === Further reading === R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke, et al., editors (1950–present), “balm”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies