English Explanatory Dictionary

spikenard

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A perfumed ointment, extracted from the plant Nardostachys jatamansi that belongs to the Valerian family and grows in the Himalayas.
  2. The plant Nardostachys jatamansi (syn. Nardostachys grandiflora).
  3. Lavandula stoechas, another species used in antiquity to produce an aromatic oil.
  4. Any plant of the genus Aralia of the Araliaceae family.
  5. False spikenard (Maianthemum racemosum, syn. Smilacina racemosa)
  6. Ploughman's spikenard (Inula conyza, now Pentanema conyzae).
  7. Wild spikenard (Asarum europaeum).

Pronunciation

/ˈspaɪknɑː(ɹ)d/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-spikenard.wav /ˈspɪknɑːɹd/ /ˈspɪknæɹd/ /ˈspɪknəɹd/

Word forms

spikenard spikenards

Etymology

From Middle English spikenard, spikenarde, from Anglo-Norman spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spīca nardī, from Latin spica (“spike”) + nardi (“nard”). Equivalent to spike + nard.

Synonyms

spignet

Derived words

American spikenard Arizona spikenard bastard spikenard cretan spikenard false spikenard Japanese spikenard ploughman's spikenard plowman's spikenard small spikenard wild spikenard
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