First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
spikenard
noun spike·nard \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
See spikenard defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SPIKENARD
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French spicanarde, from Medieval Latin spica nardi, literally, spike of nard
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
Medical Dictionary
spikenard
noun spike·nard \ˈspīk-ˌnärd\
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
Learn More About SPIKENARD
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: spikenard treePrevious Word in the Dictionary: spike nailAll Words Near: spikenard
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up spikenard? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).