spikenard
/ˈspʌɪknɑːd
/noun
1 [mass noun] historical A costly perfumed ointment much valued in ancient times.Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment....
- Note the reference to spikenard in the Song of Solomon and in the Gospels.
- A daily glass of konditon, strong in spikenard, was recommended in March: anise wine was appropriate for April.
2The Himalayan plant of the valerian family that produces the rhizome from which spikenard was prepared. See also ploughman's spikenard.
- Nardostachys grandiflora, family Valerianaceae.
Origin
Middle English: from medieval Latin spica nardi (see spike2, nard), translating Greek nardostakhus.