Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. Any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Commiphora, especially C. opobalsamum, of Arabia and Somalia.
- n. See myrrh.
- n. A poplar tree of hybrid origin, with sticky, aromatic, resinous buds and heart-shaped leaves, cultivated as a shade tree.
- n. A shrubby plant (Cedronella canariensis) in the mint family, native to Madeira and the Canary Islands, having a large, lilac-to-violet corolla with two lips.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. (Bot.) a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family (Balsamodendron Gileadense). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the
balm of Gilead of the shops, orbalsam of Mecca . This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb Dracocephalum Canariense is familiarly calledbalm of Gilead , and so are the American trees, Populus balsamifera, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and Abies balsamea (balsam fir).
WordNet 3.0
- n. small evergreen tree of Africa and Asia; leaves have a strong aromatic odor when bruised
- n. medium-sized fir of northeastern North America; leaves smell of balsam when crushed; much used for pulpwood and Christmas trees
- n. a fragrant oleoresin
Etymologies
- After Gilead , known for its balm. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“Alone, I believe, among the Concord houses of former times, it is set back far enough from the country-road to have an avenue leading to it, lined with balm of Gilead trees, and guarded at the entrance by two tall granite posts somewhat like obelisks.”
“But while most of the foliage is gaining in brilliancy, bare limbs are already seen here and there; the Virginia creepers are all but leafless, so are the black walnuts; and the balm of Gilead poplar is losing its large leaves.”
“Receive it then, my poor Clare, and let the utterings of my pen (which instead of gloomy ink I would dip into the sweet balm of Gilead for thy afflictions) prove again and again thy 'physician.”
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ruzuzu See comments on balm of gilead. Aug 4, 2010