Where does “balmy” come from?
Balmy comes from Middle English, derived from Middle French baume through Latin balsamum, ultimately tracing to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning fragrant oil or healing substance.
balmy (English): Producing balm; Soothing or fragrant; Mild and...
Definitions
- Producing balm; Soothing or fragrant; Mild and...
Ancestry of “balmy”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | balm | Any of various aromatic resins exuded from... |
| 2 | Middle English | bawme | The aromatic resin of trees of the genus Commiphora; balsam |
| 3 | French | Baumé | a French family name |
| 4 | Old French | basme | — |
| 5 | Latin | balsamum | balsam (substance or tree); balm |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | βάλσαμον | Arabian balsam tree; balsam, the fragrant oil... |
| 7 | Hebrew | בושם | perfume |
| 8 | Proto-Semitic | *buśm- | — |