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embalm Definition

em·balm (em bäm′, im-)

transitive verb

  1. to treat (a dead body) with various chemicals, usually after removing the viscera, etc., to keep it from decaying rapidly
  2. to preserve in memory
  3. to make fragrant; perfume

Etymology: ME embaumen < OFr embaumer: see en- & balm

embalm Related Forms
em·balm′er noun em·balm′·ment noun
embalm Synonyms

embalm

v.

preserve, mummify, process, freeze, fill with formaldehyde, anoint, wrap, preserve from putrefaction, prepare for burial, lay out, perpetuate, keep in memory, immortalize.

embalm Usage Examples

Object

  • fluid: The effects of the embalming fluid must have worn off.
  • body: The embalmed body of Lenin lies in a granite tomb on public display in Red Square.
  • heart: He then fulfilled Robert the Bruce ' s final wish of having his embalmed heart carried on the crusades.
  • process: I was just wondering how many minutes or hours it takes a mortician to perform the embalming process?
  • dead: Myrrh is a costly ointment used in ceremonies of consecration, or for weddings or embalming the dead.
  • corpse: It will have the added resonance of echoing the embalmed corpse of Lenin, which lies in state in Moscow's Red Square.

Modifying Another Word

  • then: Their bodies are then embalmed and shipped to schools.