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

Not listed are any assurances that said experience will not include any kidnappings by a supervillain who has a tendency to monologue at great length before threatening your nards with a laser.

From Salon

The marriage to the insurance cartels that put the middle class's nards in a vise.

From New York Times

Hillary and her husband have dismal economic credentials and that's not so nard to explain in a campaign for Sanders.

From New York Times

Liv and Babineaux solve one murder and prevent another – Liv kicks a gangster “in the nards” – and Liv promises to alert Clive if her visions show him so much as jaywalking.

From Los Angeles Times

“One strike of the claws from these cuddly creatures and your in­nards will be scooped out and splattered all over the ground.”

From Literature