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balsam

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balsam

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Balsam  \Bal"sam\,  n.  [L.  balsamum  the  balsam  tree  or  its  resin, 
  Gr  ?.  See  {Balm},  n.] 
  1.  A  resin  containing  more  or  less  of  an  essential  or 
  volatile  oil. 
 
  Note:  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  Pereir[ae]}  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}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Balsam  \Bal"sam\,  v.  t. 
  To  treat  or  anoint  with  balsam;  to  relieve,  as  with  balsam; 
  to  render  balsamic. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  balsam 
  n  1:  any  seed  plant  yielding  balsam 
  2:  any  of  various  fragrant  oleoresins  used  in  medicines  and 
  perfumes 
  3:  a  fragrant  ointment  containing  a  balsam  resin




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