First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
embalm
verb em·balm \im-ˈbä(l)m, em-\
: to treat (a dead body) with special chemicals to keep it from decaying
Full Definition of EMBALM
transitive verb
1
: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay
2
: to fill with sweet odors : perfume
3
: to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve <embalm a hero's memory>
4
: to fix in a static condition
— em·balm·er noun
— em·balm·ment \-ˈbä(l)m-mənt, -ˈbȧm-\ noun
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Origin of EMBALM
Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm — more at balm
Rhymes with EMBALM
A-bomb, aplomb, ashram, bee balm, buzz bomb, car bomb, Ceram, cheongsam, coulomb, Coulomb, dive-bomb, dot-com, EPROM, firebomb, grande dame, H-bomb, imam, Islam, Long Tom, napalm, nizam, noncom, oil palm, phenom, pogrom, pom-pom, réclame, rhabdom, salaam, sitcom, skip bomb, Songnam, stink bomb, tam-tam, therefrom, time bomb, tom-tom, wax palm, wherefrom, wigwam
EMBALMER Defined for Kids
embalm
verb em·balm \im-ˈbäm, -ˈbälm\
em·balmedem·balm·ing
Definition of EMBALM for Kids
: to treat a dead body so as to preserve it from decay
— em·balm·er noun
Medical Dictionary
embalm
transitive verb em·balm \im-ˈbä(l)m, New England also -ˈbȧm\
Medical Definition of EMBALM
: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay
—em·balm·er noun
—em·balm·ment \-ˈbä(l)m-mənt\ noun
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