spikenard

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈspaɪknɑːd/, /ˈspaɪkəˌnɑːd/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(spīk′nərd, -närd)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
spike•nard  (spīk′nərd, -närd),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Plant Biologyan aromatic, Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, of the valerian family, believed to be the nard of the ancients.
  2. an aromatic substance used by the ancients, supposed to be obtained from this plant.
  3. Plant Biologyany of various other plants, esp. an American plant, Aralia racemosa, of the ginseng family, having an aromatic root.
  • Medieval Latin spīca nardī. See spike2, nard
  • Middle English 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
spikenard /ˈspaɪknɑːd; ˈspaɪkəˌnɑːd/ n
  1. an aromatic Indian valerianaceous plant, Nardostachys jatamans, having rose-purple flowers
  2. an aromatic ointment obtained from this plant
  3. any of various similar or related plants
  4. a North American araliaceous plant, Aralia racemosa, having small green flowers and an aromatic root
Also called (for senses 1, 2): nard Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin spīca nardī; see spike2, nard
'spikenard' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
aspic - nard - asarum - valerian family

Forum discussions with the word(s) "spikenard" in the title:


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