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.
- An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead.
- A plant or tree yielding such substance.
- Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
- (figuratively) Something soothing.
Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.
1781, [Mostyn John Armstrong], History and Antiquities of the County of Norfolk. Volume IX. Containing the Hundreds of Smithdon, Taverham, Tunstead, Walsham, and Wayland, volume IX, Norwich: Printed by J. Crouse, for M. Booth, bookseller, →OCLC, page 51:BEAT on, proud billows; Boreas blow; / Swell, curled waves, high as Jove's roof; / Your incivility doth ſhow, / That innocence is tempeſt proof; / Though ſurly Nereus frown, my thoughts are calm; / Then ſtrike, Affliction, for thy wounds are balm. [Attributed to Roger L'Estrange (1616–1704).]
- 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.
Translations
sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from some plants
— see balsamplant or tree yielding such substance
— see balsamfigurative: something soothing
— see balsamplant of the genus Melissa
References
Hall, Joseph Sargent (1942 March 2) “3. The Consonants”, in The Phonetics of Great Smoky Mountain Speech (American Speech: Reprints and Monographs; 4), New York: King's Crown Press, →DOI, →ISBN, § 11, page 104.