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