different between balm vs poultice

English

Etymology

From Middle English bawme, from Anglo-Norman and Middle French baume, from Old French basme, from Latin balsamum, itself from Ancient Greek ???????? (bálsamon). Spelling modified 16th c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of balsam.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /b??m/
• (US) IPA^(key): /b?m/, /b?lm/
• Rhymes: -??m
• Homophone: bomb (for speakers with the father-bother merger)

Noun

balm (countable and uncountable, plural balms)

1. 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.
2. A plant or tree yielding such substance.
3. Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.

   There is a balm in Gilead... (Spiritual)

4. (figuratively) Something soothing.

   Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.
5. The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis
6. Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horse balm.

Synonyms

• (aromatic resin): balsam
• (plant or tree): balsam
• (soothing oil or lotion): balsam
• (something soothing): balsam

Related terms

• balmy
• balsam
• embalming

Translations

Verb

balm (third-person singular simple present balms, present participle balming, simple past and past participle balmed)

1. (transitive, archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
2. (transitive, figuratively) To soothe; to mitigate.

See also

• lotion
• ointment
• unguent

Anagrams

• ALBM, BAML, LBMA, Lamb, blam, lamb

English

Etymology

From an alteration of Middle English pultes, from Latin pultes, plural of puls.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?po?lt?s/

Noun

poultice (plural poultices)

1. A soft, moist mass, usually wrapped in cloth and warmed, that is applied topically to a sore, aching or lesioned part of the body to soothe it.
2. A porous solid filled with solvent, used to remove stains from porous stone such as marble or granite.

Synonyms

• cataplasm

Translations

Verb

poultice (third-person singular simple present poultices, present participle poulticing, simple past and past participle poulticed)

1. (transitive) To treat with a poultice.

Anagrams

• epulotic