nard noun & verb. [nɑ:d] As noun also nardus [nɑ:dǝs]. LOE.
[Latin nardus from Greek nardos ult. from Sanskrit nalada, narada. Cf. Old French narde (mod. nard).]
A. noun.
1. A fragrant ointment much prized by the ancients; the plant from whose rhizome it was prepared, prob. Nardostachys grandiflora, a Himalayan plant of the valerian family. Cf. SPIKENARD. Now chiefly poet. LOE.

2. With specifying word: (the root of) any of several other aromatic plants of the valerian family; esp. (in full Celtic nard) Valeriana celtica, of the mountains of Europe. E17.
nard pistic, pistic nard: see PISTIC adjective 1.
b. verb trans. Anoint with nard. rare. E19.

■ nardine adjective (long rare) of or pertaining to nard, having the qualities of nard LME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲