from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Balm \Balm\ (b[aum]m), n. [OE. baume, OF. bausme, basme, F.
baume, L. balsamum balsam, from Gr. ba`lsamon; perhaps of
Semitic origin; cf. Heb. b[=a]s[=a]m. Cf. {Balsam}.]
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1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant of the genus {Melissa}.
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2. The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or
shrubs. --Dryden.
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3. Any fragrant ointment. --Shak.
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4. Anything that heals or that mitigates pain. "Balm for each
ill." --Mrs. Hemans.
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{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).
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