pomander

American  

[poh-man-der, poh-man-der] / ˈpoʊ mæn dər, poʊˈmæn dər /

noun

1. a mixture of aromatic substances, often in the form of a ball, formerly carried on the person as a supposed guard against infection but now placed in closets, dressers, etc.

2. the ball, box, or other case in which it was formerly carried.

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pomander British  

/ pəʊˈmændə /

noun

1. a mixture of aromatic substances in a sachet or an orange, formerly carried as scent or as a protection against disease

2. a container for such a mixture

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Etymology

Origin of pomander

1425–75; earlier pomaundre, pomemandre, late Middle English pomendambre < Middle French pome d'ambre (compare obsolete English pom ( e ) amber ) < Medieval Latin pōmum ambrē ( Latin ambrae ) literally, apple of amber. See pome, amber

Example Sentences

This annual light display includes a gnome village, Santa and his workshop, a light tunnel, crystal disco, Wishing Tree, model trains and the opportunity to make an orange and clove pomander to take home.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2021

This annual light display includes a gnome village, Santa and his workshop, a light tunnel, crystal disco, Wishing Tree, model trains and the opportunity to make an orange-and-clove pomander to take home.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2021

In much the same way as vegetarians are always presumed to want mushroom risotto, vegans were expected to want to smell like an airing cupboard pomander.

From The Guardian • Jul. 15, 2017

It has echoes of the scented pomander, which can be an orange studded with cloves.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2014

In that ruin of a house, she went about her coquetry, applying her dyes, her pomander and pouncet-box.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson