balm of Gilead

balm of Gil·e·ad

 (gĭl′ē-əd, -ăd′)

n.

1.

a. Any of several resinous trees or shrubs of the genus Commiphora, especially C. gileadensis, of northeastern Africa and Arabia.

b. Any of several North American poplar trees having aromatic, resinous buds, especially the balsam poplar and the hybrid species Populus ×jackii.

c. The aromatic resin of any of these plants.

2. A shrubby plant (Cedronella canariensis) in the mint family, native to Madeira and the Canary Islands, having fragrant leaves and pink flowers.

---

[After Gilead, known for its balm.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

balm of Gilead

n

1. (Plants) any of several trees of the burseraceous genus Commiphora, esp C. opobalsamum of Africa and W Asia, that yield a fragrant oily resin. Compare myrrh¹

2. (Plants) the resin exuded by these trees

3. (Plants) a North American hybrid female poplar tree, Populus gileadensis (or P. candicans), with broad heart-shaped leaves

4. (Plants) a fragrant resin obtained from the balsam fir. See also Canada balsam

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	balm of Gilead - medium-sized fir of northeastern North America; leaves smell of balsam when crushed; much used for pulpwood and Christmas trees Abies balsamea, balsam fir, Canada balsam silver fir - any of various true firs having leaves white or silvery white beneath
	2.	balm of Gilead - a fragrant oleoresin balm - any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
	3.	balm of gilead - small evergreen tree of Africa and Asia; leaves have a strong aromatic odor when bruised Commiphora meccanensis incense tree - any of various tropical trees of the family Burseraceae yielding fragrant gums or resins that are burned as incense Commiphora, genus Commiphora - genus of East Indian and African trees yielding balsamic products

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.