Main Entry:

spike·nard

Pronunciation:

\ˈspīk-ˌnärd\

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 derived2: a North American perennial herb (Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family with an aromatic root and panicled umbels