balmy

English

WOTD – 6 October 2009

Etymology

balm + -y. Doublet of balsamic.

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈbɑː.mi/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈbɑmi/, /ˈbɔmi/, /ˈbɑlmi/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɑːmi, -ɑːlmi

Adjective

balmy (comparative balmier, superlative balmiest)

  1. Producing balm.
  2. Soothing or fragrant.
  3. Of weather, mild and pleasant.
    • 1949 March 7, “Pyramid Club Craze Sweeps Nation”, in LIFE, volume 26, number 10, →ISSN, page 27:
      The new mass hysteria is known as the Pyramid Club and began—like so many other strange and wonderful notions—somewhere under the balmy skies of California.
  4. (informal, US) Foolish; slightly crazy or mad; eccentric.
    Synonym: (UK) barmy
    • 1958 April 1, Roald Dahl, “Parson's Pleasure”, in Esquire, page 148:
      'I reckon he's balmy,' Claud said, and Bert grinned darkly, rolling his misty eye slowly round in its socket.

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