Peruvian balsam

9.2

A South and Central American tree that makes a sticky resin used in perfume and medicine

noun
/pəˈruːviən ˈbɔːlsəm/

: bálsamo peruano

The resin extracted from Peruvian balsam is widely used in traditional medicine.

Examples

Many perfumes contain an essence of Peruvian balsam because of its pleasant fragrance.
Harvesting Peruvian balsam requires careful tapping of the tree’s bark.
I bought some Peruvian balsam for my homemade perfume.
The Peruvian balsam tree is known for its fragrant resin.
Many perfumes contain an essence of Peruvian balsam because of its pleasant fragrance.
The resin extracted from Peruvian balsam is widely used in traditional medicine.
The Peruvian balsam tree is known for its fragrant resin.

Synonyms

Myroxylon pereirae

vsPeruvian balsam

Specialized

9.9

A tree from Central and South America that produces a fragrant resin used in perfumes and medicines

is the common name for the same resin producing tree

Myroxylon balsamum pereirae

vsPeruvian balsam

Specialized

9.9

A tree from Central and South America that makes a strong smelling resin used in perfumes and flavorings

refers instead to medicinal and perfume uses rather than flavoring

Surface Forms

Peruvian balsam singular

Peruvian balsams plural

Morphology

Peruvian + balsam

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun combination: 'Peruvian' (from Peru) modifies 'balsam' (an aromatic resin), so the meaning 'a balsam from Peru' is directly inferable from the parts. This origin+product composition is cross-linguistically common and therefore readily comprehensible to a learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Peruvian balsam comes from a tree in Peru and nearby lands whose bark is cut to collect a sticky, fragrant 'sap'. Because this sweet-smelling sap was used by healers and in 'perfume' and 'medicine', the name now means the aromatic substance taken from that tree.