balm
noun/bɑːm/
/bɑːm/
[uncountable, countable, usually singular]- (also balsam)oil with a pleasant smell that is obtained from some types of trees and plants, used in the past to help heal wounds (= make them better), for example
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- a liquid, cream, etc. that has a pleasant smell and is used to make wounds less painful or skin softer
- He used a skin balm after shaving.
- (literary) something that makes you feel calm or relaxed
- The gentle music was a balm to his spirit.
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense‘preparation for embalming, fragrant resinous substance’): from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum from Greek balsamon.
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