n. 1. a perennial herb (Monarda fistulosa) of North America. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. a perennial aromatic herb of eastern North America (Monarda didyma) having variously colored tubular flowers in dense showy heads.
Syn. -- bee balm, bergamot mint, oswego tea. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. a bushy perennial Old World mint, Melissa officinalis, having small white or yellowish flowers and fragrant lemon-flavored leaves; a garden escapee in northern Europe and North America.
Syn. -- lemon balm, garden balm, sweet balm, bee balm, Melissa officinalis. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Embalmed p. pr. & vb. n. Embalming. ] [ F. embaumer; pref. em- (L. in) + baume balm. See Balm. ] 1. To anoint all over with balm; especially, to preserve from decay by means of balm or other aromatic oils, or spices; to fill or impregnate (a dead body), with aromatics and drugs that it may resist putrefaction. [ 1913 Webster ]

Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm &unr_;is father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. Gem. l. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fill or imbue with sweet odor; to perfume. [ 1913 Webster ]

With fresh dews embalmed the earth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To preserve from decay or oblivion as if with balm; to perpetuate in remembrance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those tears eternal that embalm the dead. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who embalms. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. embaumement. ] The act of embalming. [ R. ] Malone. [ 1913 Webster ]