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Etymology Dictionary

Origin of the word BALM.  Etymology of the word BALM.

From An Etymology Dictionary of the English Language, by Walter W. Skeat, 1893

 

BALM,  an aromatic plant.  (F.,—Gk.)   The spelling has been modified so as to bring it nearer to balsam; the spelling balm occurs in Chapman's Homer, b. xvi. 624 (R.), but the M.E. form is baume or bawme; Chaucer, Ho. of Fame, 596; spelt bame, Ancren Riwle, p. 164; spelt balsme, Gower, C. A. iii. 315.   The derivative enbawme occurs in P. Plowman, B. xvii. 70.—O.F. bausme.—Lat. balsamum.—Gk. βάλσαμον, the fragrant resin of the balsam-tree; from βάλσαμος, a balsam-tree.   Der. balm-y.   Doublet, balsam [†]

ADDENDA

Not (F.,Gk.), but (F.,L.,Gk.,Heb.?).   The Anglo-French forms are both basme (Philip de Thaun, Bestiary, l. 234), and balme (Life of Edw. Confessor, 4354).   Both from a form balsme*, which makes the identity with balsam certain.   See Balsam.

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Etymology Dictionary Index
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Key
Arab.=Arabic.
A.S.=Anglo Saxon.
Bavar.=Bavarian
Bohem.=Bohemian.
C.=Celtic, used as a general term for Irish, Gaelic, Welsh, Breton, Cornish, &c.
Corn.=Cornish.
Dan.=Danish.
Du.=Dutch
E.=English.
E.E.=Early English.
Europ.=European.
F.=French.
G.=German.
Gk.=Greek.
Goth.=Gothic.
Icel.=Icelandic.
Ital.=Italian.
L. or Lat.=Latin.
Lith. & Lithuan.=Lithuanian.
M.E.=Middle English.
M.F.=Middle French
M.H.G.=Middle High German.
Norw.=Norwegian.
O.F.=Old French.
O.H.G.=Old High German.
Pers.=Persian.
Port.=Portuguese.
Scand.=Scandinavian, used as a general term for Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, &c.
Sc.=Scottish.
Skt.=Sanskrit.
Span.=Spanish.
Swed.=Sweish.
Teut.=Teutonic
Turk.=Turkish.
W.=Welsh.

  

 

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