Balm Meaning
/bɑːm/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
nounAn aromatic preparation for embalming the dead.
Sentence Examples
Do you have some lip balm? My lips are dry.
Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She applied a soothing ____ to her sunburned skin for relief.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The fresh cool air was a ____ to his tired and weary spirit tonight.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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).]"
— 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:
"Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured / With full bags of spices!"
— c. 1607–1608, William Shakespeare, George] [Wilkins, Pericles, Prince of Tyre, act 3, scene 2, lines 63–64:
"This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews"
— c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act 3, scene 6, line 96:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She applied a soothing ____ to her sunburned skin for relief.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The fresh cool air was a ____ to his tired and weary spirit tonight.