BALM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does balm mean? 

• BALM (noun)
  The noun BALM has 2 senses:

1. any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing

2. semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

  Familiarity information: BALM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BALM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("balm" is a kind of...):

balsam (any of various fragrant oleoresins used in medicines and perfumes)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "balm"):

balm of Gilead (a fragrant oleoresin)

Derivation:

balmy (mild and pleasant)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

balm; ointment; salve; unction; unguent

Hypernyms ("balm" is a kind of...):

curative; cure; remedy; therapeutic (a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain)

Meronyms (substance of "balm"):

lanolin; wool fat; wool grease (a yellow viscous animal oil extracted from wool; a mixture of fatty acids and esters; used in some ointments and cosmetics)

Domain category:

medical specialty; medicine (the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "balm"):

arnica (an ointment used in treating bruises)

baby oil (an ointment for babies)

balsam (an ointment containing a fragrant resin)

carron oil (an ointment formerly used to treat burns)

cerate (a hard medicated paste made of lard or oil mixed with wax or resin)

chrism; chrisom; holy oil; sacramental oil (a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam)

lip balm (a balm applied to the lips)

mentholated salve (a salve containing menthol)

mercurial ointment (an ointment containing mercury)

zinc ointment (an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases)

 Context examples 

But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The hard, bitter look came back again as he said that, and it troubled Amy, for she did not know what balm to apply.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I'll try if I cannot discover the secret spring of your confidence, and find an aperture in that marble breast through which I can shed one drop of the balm of sympathy.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

It is found mainly in foods but may also be in other products like medicines, vitamins and supplements, lip balm, and even the glue on stamps and envelopes.

(Celiac Disease, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Then she lost herself in drowsy contemplation of the soothing balm of his strength: Life poured from the ends of his fingers, driving the pain before it, or so it seemed to her, until with the easement of pain, she fell asleep and he stole away.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

You are so fortunate that Venus, the planet that is known to make you irresistible, will be in your committed relationship sector, spreading her silky, soothing balm and making your relationship with your one-and-only warm and special.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

His last words were balm: they seemed to imply that it imported something to him whether I forgot him or not.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Meg bathed the insulted hand with glycerine and tears, Beth felt that even her beloved kittens would fail as a balm for griefs like this, Jo wrathfully proposed that Mr. Davis be arrested without delay, and Hannah shook her fist at the 'villain' and pounded potatoes for dinner as if she had him under her pestle.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I ought probably to have done or said nothing; but I was so tortured by a sense of remorse at thus hurting his feelings, I could not control the wish to drop balm where I had wounded.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)