balm

Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.countableuncountable

An aromatic preparation for embalming the dead.countableuncountable

A plant or tree yielding such substance.countableuncountable

Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.countableuncountable

Something soothing.countablefigurativelyuncountable

• Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.

The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis.countableuncountable

Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horsebalm.countableuncountable

To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.archaictransitive

• Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured / With full bags of spices!

To soothe; to mitigate.figurativelytransitive

• This rest might yet have balmed thy broken sinews