pomander

[ poh-man-der, poh-man-der ]
/ ˈpoʊ mæn dər, poʊˈmæn dər /

noun

a mixture of aromatic substances, often in the form of a ball, formerly carried on the person as a supposed guard against infection but now placed in closets, dressers, etc.
the ball, box, or other case in which it was formerly carried.

Origin of pomander

1425–75; earlier pomaundre, pomemandre, late Middle English pomendambre < Middle French pome d'ambre (compare obsolete English pom(e)amber) < Medieval Latin pōmum ambrē (Latin ambrae) literally, apple of amber. See pome, amber

Words nearby pomander

pomace, pomace fly, pomaceous, pomade, pomade acne, pomander, pomatum, pombal, pombe, pome, pomegranate

Example sentences from the Web for pomander

British Dictionary definitions for pomander

pomander
/ (pəʊˈmændə) /

noun

a mixture of aromatic substances in a sachet or an orange, formerly carried as scent or as a protection against disease
a container for such a mixture

Word Origin for pomander

C15: from Old French pome d'ambre, from Medieval Latin pōmum ambrae apple of amber