nard en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /nɑːd/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /nɑɹd/ (General-American)
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From Middle English narde, from Old French narde, Latin nardus, from Ancient Greek νάρδος (nárdos), from Phoenician [Term?], Sanskrit नलद (nálada, “Indian narde”). Doublet of nardus.
Meanings
- (countable, uncountable) A flowering plant of species Nardostachys jatamansi, in the valerian family, that grows in the Himalayas and is used as a perfume, an incense, a sedative, and an herbal medicine.
-
(countable, uncountable) A fragrant oil from the plant, formerly much prized.
The Roman poet Horace refers to a lecherous old fop "scented with nard."
1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 182:[…]there cam a womã with an alablaſter boxe of oyntment / called narde / that was pure and coſtly / and ſhe brake the boxe ãd powred it on his heed.
1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Mark xiiij:[3], folio lxvj, recto:
- (countable, uncountable) American spikenard (Aralia racemosa), a North American perennial herb with an aromatic root.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| nards | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Synonyms
muskroot (Nardostachys jatamansi) · nardin (Nardostachys jatamansi) · nardus