spikenard: Meaning and Definition of

spike•nard

1. an aromatic, Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, of the valerian family, believed to be the nard of the ancients.
2. an aromatic substance used by the ancients, supposed to be obtained from this plant.
3. any of various other plants, esp. an American plant, Aralia racemosa, of the ginseng family, having an aromatic root.