Where does “balm” come from?
Balm comes from Middle English bawme, from Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον, from Hebrew בָּשָׂם.
balm (English): Any of various aromatic resins exuded from...
Definitions
- Any of various aromatic resins exuded from...
Ancestry of “balm”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | bawme | The aromatic resin of trees of the genus Commiphora; balsam |
| 2 | French | Baumé | a French family name |
| 3 | Old French | basme | — |
| 4 | Latin | balsamum | balsam (substance or tree); balm |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | βάλσαμον | Arabian balsam tree; balsam, the fragrant oil... |
| 6 | Hebrew | בושם | perfume |
| 7 | Proto-Semitic | *buśm- | — |