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EMPASM/ɛmˈpæzm/ A perfumed powder once used in medicine. An obsolete medical word for a perfumed powder to be sprinkled on the body to restrain sweating, reduce inflammation or to destroy its smell; usually linked in medical literature with diapasm, a scented powder made from aromatic herbs for sprinkling over the person, which was sometimes made into little balls that were strung together round the neck. Both are from the Greek passeln, “to sprinkle”. |
Page created 7 Mar. 1998
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