SPIKENARD


Meaning of SPIKENARD in English

n.

Pronunciation: ' sp ī k- ˌ närd

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spica nardi, literally, spike of nard

Date: 14th century

1 a : a fragrant ointment of the ancients b : a Himalayan aromatic plant ( Nardostachys jatamansi ) of the valerian family from which spikenard is believed to have been derived

2 : a No. American perennial herb ( Aralia racemosa ) of the ginseng family with an aromatic root and panicled umbels

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.