Where does “horsebalm” come from?
horsebalm (English) comes from English balm, from Middle English bawme, from French Baumé, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον, from Hebrew בושם, from Proto-Semitic *buśm-.
horsebalm (English): A strong-scented labiate plant with large leaves...
Definitions
- A strong-scented labiate plant with large leaves...
Ancestry of “horsebalm”, step by step
horsebalm traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English balm
| 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- | — |