The difference between Balm and Balsam
When used as nouns, balm means any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus commiphora of africa, arabia and india and myroxylon of south america, whereas balsam means a sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.
When used as verbs, balm means to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal, whereas balsam means to treat or anoint with balsam.
check bellow for the other definitions of Balm and Balsam
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Balm as a noun:
Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
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Balm as a noun:
A plant or tree yielding such substance.
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Balm as a noun:
Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
Examples:
"There is a balm in Gilead...'' (Spiritual)"
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Balm as a noun (figuratively):
Something soothing.
Examples:
"Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows."
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Balm as a noun:
The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis
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Balm as a noun:
Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horse balm.
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Balm as a verb (transitive, archaic):
To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
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Balm as a verb (transitive, figurative):
To soothe; to mitigate.
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Balsam as a noun (chiefly, UK):
A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.
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Balsam as a noun (chiefly, UK):
A plant or tree yielding such substance.
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Balsam as a noun (chiefly, UK):
A soothing ointment.
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Balsam as a noun (chiefly, UK, figuratively):
Something soothing.
Examples:
"Classical music is a sweet balsam for our sorrows"
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Balsam as a noun:
A flowering plant of the genus Impatiens.
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Balsam as a noun:
The balsam family of flowering plants (Balsaminaceae), which includes Impatiens and .
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Balsam as a noun:
A balsam fir Abies balsamea.
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Balsam as a noun:
Canada balsam, a turpentine obtained from the resin of balsam fir.
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Balsam as a verb (transitive):
To treat or anoint with balsam.