Definition of Balsem
Bal"sam (b&add;l"sam), n. [L.
balsamum the balsam tree or its resin, Gr. ba`lsamon. See
Balm, n.] 1. A resin
containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil.
&fist; The balsams are aromatic resinous substances, flowing
spontaneously or by incision from certain plants. A great variety of
substances pass under this name, but the term is now usually restricted to
resins which, in addition to a volatile oil, contain benzoic and cinnamic
acid. Among the true balsams are the balm of Gilead, and the balsams of
copaiba, Peru, and Tolu. There are also many pharmaceutical preparations
and resinous substances, possessed of a balsamic smell, to which the name
balsam has been given.
2. (Bot.) (a) A species of
tree (Abies balsamea). (b) An annual
garden plant (Impatiens balsamina) with beautiful flowers;
balsamine.
3. Anything that heals, soothes, or
restores.
Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy
blood?
Tennyson.
Balsam apple (Bot.), an East Indian plant
(Momordica balsamina), of the gourd family, with red or orange-
yellow cucumber-shaped fruit of the size of a walnut, used as a vulnerary,
and in liniments and poultices. -- Balsam fir
(Bot.), the American coniferous tree, Abies balsamea,
from which the useful Canada balsam is derived. -- Balsam of
copaiba. See Copaiba. -- Balsam of
Mecca, balm of Gilead. -- Balsam of
Peru, a reddish brown, syrupy balsam, obtained from a Central
American tree (Myroxylon Pereiræ and used as a stomachic and
expectorant, and in the treatment of ulcers, etc. It was long supposed to
be a product of Peru. -- Balsam of Tolu, a
reddish or yellowish brown semisolid or solid balsam, obtained from a South
American tree (Myroxylon toluiferum). It is highly fragrant, and is
used as a stomachic and expectorant. -- Balsam tree,
any tree from which balsam is obtained, esp. the Abies
balsamea. -- Canada balsam, Balsam of
fir, Canada turpentine, a yellowish, viscid liquid, which, by
time and exposure, becomes a transparent solid mass. It is obtained from
the balm of Gilead (or balsam) fir (Abies balsamea) by breaking the
vesicles upon the trunk and branches. See Balm.
Bal"sam (&?;), v. t. To treat or anoint
with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic.
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
BALSAM. Money.
- The Devil's Dictionary (Ambrose Bierce)
- a sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants
- a soothing ointment
- (vulgar) money
- a flower of the genus Impatiens
- See Wikipedia article on Impatiens
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia
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