Balm

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /bɑːm/

Definitions

1. A soothing ointment applied to the skin to heal or relieve pain ; a pleasant fragrant resin or substance used for its scent ; a source of comfort or relief in distress or trouble
2. A healing salve used externally to calm irritation or soreness ; a sweet-smelling substance often derived from plants ; an emotional or spiritual consolation in difficult times
3. A medicinal preparation that soothes and softens skin discomfort ; a pleasantly aromatic material or scent ; something that provides solace or eases pain or worry

Etymology: Balm began life as "balsamum" in Latin, borrowed from the Ancient Greek "balsamon", which named the resin of the balsam tree, a fragrant substance valued for its scent and its use in treating wounds. Through Old French "basme" it reached English as "bawme" in Middle English, and it has been the word for a soothing ointment ever since. The spelling is the surprise. English had long written the word "bawme" and "baume," but in the 16th century scholars and printers altered it to match the Latin "balsamum," so the modern "l" appeared where none had been pronounced. The "l" was restored only in writing, which is why the word is spelled one way and sounds another. Balm is also a doublet of "balsam," which came into English through the same Latin source but kept closer to the original form. The two words split apart over centuries of use, one becoming a common term for a healing salve and the other remaining the name of the resin itself.

Synonyms: ointment, salve, soothing agent, emollient, lotion

Antonyms: irritant, aggravation, pain, discomfort, soreness