spikenard noun. ['spʌɪknɑ:d] ME.
[medieval Latin spica nardi (see SPIKE noun², NARD), translating Greek nardou stakhus, nardostakhus; or more directly from Old French spicanard(e or Middle Low German spīkenard, Middle Dutch spīkenaerde (Dutch spijknardus).]
1. A costly perfumed ointment much valued in ancient times; the plant from whose fragrant rhizome this was prepared, prob. Nardostachys grandiflora, a Himalayan plant of the valerian family. ME.

2. Any of various plants resembling spikenard in fragrance; esp. (a) any of several kinds of valerian, esp. (more fully Celtic spikenard) Celtic nard, Valeriana celtica; (b) (now dial.) lavender (cf. SPIKE noun² 4); (c) US (more fully American spikenard) a plant of the ginseng family with an aromatic root, Aralia racemosa. LME.
PLOUGHMAN's spikenard.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲