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Balm vs Palliative - What's the difference?

balm | palliative | Synonyms |

Balm is a synonym of palliative.


As nouns the difference between balm and palliative

is that balm is 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 while palliative is (medicine) something that palliates, particularly a palliative medicine.

As a verb balm

is (archaic) to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.

As an adjective palliative is

serving to palliate; serving to extenuate or mitigate.

balm

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • 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.
  • A plant or tree yielding such substance.
  • Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.
  • There is a balm in Gilead.... (Spiritual)
  • (figuratively) Something soothing.
  • Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.
  • Any of various aromatic plants of the genus Melissa , such as lemon balm () or bee balm.
  • Synonyms

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

    See also

    * lotion * ointment * unguent

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
  • (figurative) To soothe; to mitigate.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Anagrams

    * *

    palliative

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Serving to palliate; serving to extenuate or mitigate.
  • (medicine) Minimising the progression of a disease and relieving undesirable symptoms for as long as possible, rather than attempting to cure the (usually incurable) disease.
  • Synonyms

    * (medicine)

    Coordinate terms

    * (medicine) analgesic, lenitive

    See also

    * (Palliative care)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine) Something that palliates, particularly a palliative medicine.
  • The radiation and chemotherapy were only palliatives .