Where does “balsam” come from?

Balsam comes from Middle English balsam, from Old English balsam, from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον, from Hebrew בָּשָׂם, ultimately derived from the Hebrew root שׂ.

balsam (English): A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from...

Definitions

  1. A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from...

Ancestry of “balsam”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanBalsambalsam, balm; ointment
2Latinbalsamumbalsam (substance or tree); balm
3Ancient GreekβάλσαμονArabian balsam tree; balsam, the fragrant oil...
4Hebrewבושםperfume
5Proto-Semitic*buśm-—

Words derived from “balsam”

Every word from Proto-Semitic *buśm- →Every word from Hebrew בושם →Every word from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον →