spikenard

spike·nard

noun \ˈspīk-ˌnärd\

Definition of SPIKENARD

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 North American perennial herb (Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family with an aromatic root and panicled umbels

Origin of SPIKENARD

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with SPIKENARD

Asgard, backyard, barnyard, blackguard, blowhard, boatyard, bombard, boneyard, brassard, brickyard, charge card, churchyard, cloth yard, coast guard, courtyard, dance card, deeryard, die-hard, diehard, discard, dockyard, dooryard, face card, farmyard, fireguard, flash card, foulard, Fugard, Gerard, graveyard, green card, ill-starred, jacquard, junkyard, lifeguard, main yard, mansard, mass card, Midgard, milliard, mudguard, noseguard, off guard, old guard, on guard, Oxnard, phone card, Picard, placard, point guard, postcard, poularde, punch card, rear guard, rearguard, Red Guard, regard, retard, ritard, safeguard, scorecard, shipyard, smart card, sound card, steelyard, stockyard, switchyard, tabard, tanyard, tiltyard, time card, unbarred, unguard, vizard, wild card

spike·nard

noun \ˈspīk-ˌnärd\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SPIKENARD

1

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

2

: an American herb of the genus Aralia (A. racemosa) whose dried rhizome and roots have been used as a diaphoretic and aromatic