English edit

Etymology edit

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

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈspaɪknɑː(ɹ)d/
  • (obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈspɪknɑːɹd/, /ˈspɪknæɹd/, /ˈspɪknəɹd/[1]

Noun edit

spikenard (countable and uncountable, plural spikenards)

  1. A perfumed ointment, extracted from the plant Nardostachys jatamansi that belongs to the Valerian family and grows in the Himalayas.[2]
  2. The plant Nardostachys jatamansi (syn. Nardostachys grandiflora).
    • 1611, The Holy Bible, [] (King James Version), London: [] Robert Barker, [], →OCLC, Song of Solomon 4:12-14:
      A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices
  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).

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Further reading edit

References edit

  1. ^ Jespersen, Otto (1909) A Modern English Grammar on Historical Principles (Sammlung germanischer Elementar- und Handbücher; 9)‎[1], volume I: Sounds and Spellings, London: George Allen & Unwin, published 1961, § 4.35, page 124.
  2. ^ spikenard”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

Anagrams edit

Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spīca nardī.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈspik(ə)nard/, /ˈspik(ə)ˌnard(ə)/

Noun edit

spikenard (uncountable)

  1. Nard (Nardostachys jatamansi) or a similar plant.
    Synonym: narde

Descendants edit

  • English: spikenard

References edit