balsam

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bal·sam / ˈbôlsəm/ • n. 1. an aromatic resinous substance, such as balm, exuded by various trees and shrubs and used as a base for certain fragrances and medical preparations. ∎  a tree or shrub that yields balsam. 2. a herbaceous plant (genus Impatiens, family Balsaminaceae) cultivated for its flowers, which are typically pink or purple and carried high on the stem.DERIVATIVES: bal·sam·ic / bôlˈsamik/ adj.

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