The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Balaam \Ba"laam\, n.
   A paragraph describing something wonderful, used to fill out
   a newspaper column; -- an allusion to the miracle of Balaam's
   ass speaking. --Numb. xxii. 30. [Cant]
   [1913 Webster]

   Balaam basket or box (Print.), the receptacle for rejected
      articles. --Blackw. Mag.
      [1913 Webster]

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:

Balaam
   lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by
   others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the
   Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor (Deut.
   23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evident that though
   dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God;
   and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he
   whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed.
   When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the
   east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from Aram,
   out of the mountains of the east," to curse them; but by the
   remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil
   Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle
   Peter refers (2 Pet. 2:15, 16) to this as an historical event.
   In Micah 6:5 reference also is made to the relations between
   Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he
   suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused
   to descend upon them (Num. 25). In a battle between Israel and
   the Midianites (q.v.) Balaam was slain while fighting on the
   side of Balak (Num. 31:8).

     The "doctrine of Balaam" is spoken of in Rev. 2:14, in
   allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam
   that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led
   into sin. (See NICOLAITANES.) Balaam was constrained
   to utter prophecies regarding the future of Israel of wonderful
   magnificence and beauty of expression (Num. 24:5-9, 17).


Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's):

Balaam, the ancient of the people; the destruction of the people