Balsam /(ba̤l"sam)/

Bal·sam

Balsam

n.
  1. A resin containing more or less of an essential or volatile oil.
  2. A species of tree (Abies balsamea). (Bot.)
  3. Anything that heals, soothes, or restores.
    Was not the people's blessing a balsam to thy blood?

Phrases & Compounds
Balsam apple
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
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
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.

Balsam

v. t.
  1. To treat or anoint with balsam; to relieve, as with balsam; to render balsamic.