Spike"nard (?), n.[For spiked nard; cf. G. spieknarde,
NL. spica nardi. See
Spike an ear, and Nard.]
1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant. In the United
States it is the Aralia racemosa, often
called spignet, and
used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a
native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for
the hair is
still prepared in India.
2. A fragrant essential oil, as that from the Nardostachys
Jatamansi.
Hear it pronounced