To treat a dead body with special oils, spices, or chemicals to preserve it and slow down decay.
From Old French embaumer, from em- (in) + baume (balm), from Latin balsamum (balsam, aromatic oil). The Egyptians developed embalming into a sophisticated art 5,000 years ago.
Ancient Egyptian embalmers understood chemistry so well that mummies they prepared 3,000 years ago still have intact skin and organs—they accidentally created preservation methods more effective than modern refrigeration for certain tissues!
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