/ bɑːm; NAmE / noun [ U , C , usually sing. ]
1.
(also bal·sam ) oil with a pleasant smell that is obtained from some types of trees and plants, used in the past to help heal wounds, for example
2.
a liquid, cream, etc. that has a pleasant smell and is used to make wounds less painful or skin softer :
lip balm
3.
( literary ) something that makes you feel calm or relaxed
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense preparation for embalming, fragrant resinous substance ): from Old French basme , from Latin balsamum from Greek balsamon .