nard

[ nahrd ]

noun

1. an aromatic Himalayan plant, believed to be the spikenard, Nardostachys jatamansi, the source of an ointment used by the ancients.
2. the ointment.

nard

/ nɑːd /

noun

1. another name for spikenard spikenard
2. any of several plants, such as certain valerians, whose aromatic roots were formerly used in medicine

Other Words From

• nar·dine [nahr, -din, -dahyn], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nard¹

1350–1400; Middle English narde < Latin nardus < Greek nárdos < Semitic; compare Hebrew nērd

Word History and Origins

Origin of nard¹

C14: via Latin from Greek nárdos, perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit nalada Indian spikenard, perhaps via Semitic (Hebrew nēr'd, Arabic nārdīn )

Example Sentences

Newsflash Nard-dawg, unplanned pregnancy is sometimes a good thing.

From The Daily Beast

At Palermo you boasted you loved to talk with a foe over two sword-blades; Syrian nard softens your courage and your arm.

From Project Gutenberg

"The warmth of thy garments hath a goodlier smell than myrrh, than nard," he is saying, avidly touching her ear with his lips.

From Project Gutenberg

By subtle means, insidious as the breath of nard, corruption of primeval sin was spread from race to race.

From Project Gutenberg

Everywhere was given out the odor of nard, to which Vinicius had grown used, and which he had learned to love in the Orient.

From Project Gutenberg

And he smelled the smoke of nard and soltziphal burning in the cressets of the servants of Tishnar.

From Project Gutenberg