nard

American  

[nahrd] / nɑrd /

noun

1. an aromatic Himalayan plant, believed to be the spikenard, Nardostachys jatamansi, the source of an ointment used by the ancients.

2. the ointment.

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nard British  

/ nɑːd /

noun

1. another name for spikenard spikenard

2. any of several plants, such as certain valerians, whose aromatic roots were formerly used in medicine

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Other Word Forms

• nardine
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of nard

1350–1400; Middle English narde < Latin nardus < Greek nárdos < Semitic; compare Hebrew nērd

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nard

On the question of who sat where, Prince Alfonso de Borbon y Dampierre came out ahead of Dr. Christiaan Bar nard for the seat of honor at the right hand of Princess Grace of Monaco.

From Time Magazine Archive

Say "Mr. Tabor" to any St. Ber. nard boy and he will answer mechanically, "Mr. Jenkins."

From Time Magazine Archive

Some of them sell galbanum and nard, and curious perfumes from the islands of the Indian Sea, and the thick oil of red roses, and myrrh and little nail-shaped cloves. 

From A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde

Son of the South! bring perfume, nard and spice,      Lade all thine amorous burdens on my gales:-- Thou that the Pole-star wooest, mailed in ice,      Let swarm thy snow-white bees upon these vales!

From The Masque of the Elements by Herman George Scheffauer

Here they sell you balls of nard and honey, And squat jars of clarid butter, And the cheese from Kurdistan.

From Lundy's Lane and Other Poems by Duncan Campbell Scott