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Palm vs Balm - What's the difference?

palm | balm |

As nouns the difference between palm and balm

is that palm is any of various evergreen trees from the family Palmae or Arecaceae, which are mainly found in the tropics while 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.

As verbs the difference between palm and balm

is that palm is to hold or conceal something in the palm of the hand, e.g, for an act of sleight of hand or to steal something while balm is to anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.

palm

English

(wikipedia palm)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) palme, from (etyl) palm, .

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any of various evergreen trees from the family Palmae'' or ''Arecaceae , which are mainly found in the tropics.
  • A branch or leaf of the palm, anciently borne or worn as a symbol of victory or rejoicing.
  • * Bible, Revelations vii. 9
  • A great multitude stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
    Synonyms
    * (tropical tree) palm tree
    Derived terms
    * coconut palm * date palm * palmate * palmist * palmistry * Palm Sunday

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) palme, paume, from (etyl) palme, paulme, .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The inner and somewhat concave part of the human hand that extends from the wrist to the bases of the fingers.
  • * Tennyson
  • Clench'd her fingers till they bit the palm .
  • * 1990 October 28, , Warner Bros.
  • The open palm of desire wants everything.
  • The corresponding part of the forefoot of a lower mammal.
  • A linear measure equal either to the breadth of the hand or to its length from the wrist to the ends of the fingers; a hand; used in measuring a horse's height.
  • (sailmaking) A metallic disk attached to a strap and worn in the palm of the hand; used to push the needle through the canvas, in sewing sails, etc.
  • The broad flattened part of an antler, as of a full-grown fallow deer; so called as resembling the palm of the hand with its protruding fingers.
  • (nautical) The flat inner face of an anchor fluke.
  • Synonyms
    * (flat of the hand) (l)
    Antonyms
    * (hand) hardel
    Derived terms
    * cross someone's palm * grease someone's palm * itchy palm

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To hold or conceal something in the palm of the hand, e.g, for an act of sleight of hand or to steal something.
  • To hold something without bending the fingers significantly.
  • To move something with the palm of the hand.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2010 , date=December 28 , author=Marc Vesty , title=Stoke 0 - 2 Fulham , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The home side's goalkeeper Asmir Begovic managed to palm the drive on to the post but the sheer pace of the shot forced the ball into the net.}}
    Derived terms
    * palm off

    See also

    * * * (Arecaceae) * (hand) * (Personal digital assistant)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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

    * *