spikenard

American  

[spahyk-nerd, -nahrd] / ˈspaɪk nərd, -nɑrd /

noun

1. an aromatic, Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, of the valerian family, believed to be the nard of the ancients.

2. an aromatic substance used by the ancients, supposed to be obtained from this plant.

3. any of various other plants, especially an American plant, Aralia racemosa, of the ginseng family, having an aromatic root.

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spikenard British  

/ ˈspaɪkəˌnɑːd, ˈspaɪknɑːd /

noun

1. an aromatic Indian valerianaceous plant, Nardostachys jatamans, having rose-purple flowers

2. an aromatic ointment obtained from this plant

3. any of various similar or related plants

4. a North American araliaceous plant, Aralia racemosa, having small green flowers and an aromatic root

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Etymology

Origin of spikenard

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English from Medieval Latin spīca nardī. See spike ², nard

Example Sentences

These include pomegranates, wine, myrrh, spikenard and cinnamon.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2014

In the garden grow "an orchard of pomegranates . . . spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense".

From The Guardian • Jan. 29, 2011

The salt is mixed with high-altitude herbs like spikenard that apparently calm the senses.

From Time Magazine Archive

Wild spikenard, with its crown of tiny white flowers, also reproduced beautifully in the blue-print.

From Girl Scouts in the Adirondacks by Roy, Lillian Elizabeth

Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

From The Bible Story by Hall, Newton Marshall