DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Pop·lar n.  Bot.
 1. Any tree of the genus Populus; also, the timber, which is soft, and capable of many uses.
 Note: ☞ The aspen poplar is Populus tremula and Populus tremuloides; Balsam poplar is Populus balsamifera; Lombardy poplar (Populus dilatata) is a tall, spiry tree; white poplar is Populus alba.
 2. The timber of the tulip tree; -- called also white poplar. [U.S.]
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 Tac·a·ma·hac Tac·a·ma·ha·ca n.
 1. A bitter balsamic resin obtained from tropical American trees of the genus Elaphrium (Elaphrium tomentosum and Elaphrium Tacamahaca), and also from East Indian trees of the genus Calophyllum; also, the resinous exhudation of the balsam poplar.
 2. Bot. Any tree yielding tacamahac resin, especially, in North America, the balsam poplar, or balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera).
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 Balm n.
 1. Bot. An aromatic plant of the genus Melissa.
 2. The resinous and aromatic exudation of certain trees or shrubs.
 3. Any fragrant ointment.
 4. Anything that heals or that mitigates pain. “Balm for each ill.”
 Balm cricket Zool., the European cicada. --Tennyson.
 Balm of Gilead Bot., a small evergreen African and Asiatic tree of the terebinthine family (Balsamodendron Gileadense). Its leaves yield, when bruised, a strong aromatic scent; and from this tree is obtained the balm of Gilead of the shops, or balsam of Mecca. This has a yellowish or greenish color, a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste, and a fragrant smell. It is valued as an unguent and cosmetic by the Turks. The fragrant herb Dracocephalum Canariense is familiarly called balm of Gilead, and so are the American trees, Populus balsamifera, variety candicans (balsam poplar), and Abies balsamea (balsam fir).

 Populus balsamifera
      n : poplar of northeastern North America with broad heart-shaped
          leaves [syn: balsam poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac]