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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

balm of Gilead en · NOUN

Meanings

  1. (uncountable) A rare perfume produced in Gilead and used medicinally, mentioned in the Bible, sometimes thought to have derived from the plant Commiphora gileadensis, and sometimes from a terebinth tree in the genus Pistacia.
  2. (figuratively, uncountable) A remedy believed to cure all disease; a panacea.
    • "Never mind the details," he said. "The plain fact's enough, and its Balm of Gilead. There's work for both of us." 1930, Sax Rohmer, The Day the World Ended, published 1969, page vi. 56:
    • The consummation of marriage involves the mightiest issues of life and is the most holy and sacred right recognized by man, and it is the Balm of Gilead for many ills. Masturbation or prostitution soon blight the brightest prospects a young man may have. 1920, B. G. Jefferis, J. L. Nichols, “The Advantages of Wedlock”, in Searchlights on Health:
  3. (uncountable) Any plant of the species Cedronella canariensis, family Lamiaceae, native to Macaronesia.

Synonyms

balm of Judea · balsam of Gilead · balm of Mecca · balsam of Mecca · balsam of Judea