pomander

[ poh-man-der, poh-man-der ]

noun
  1. 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.

  2. the ball, box, or other case in which it was formerly carried.

Origin of pomander

1
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

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How to use pomander in a sentence

  • She saw pomander no longer; she was alone with her great anguish.

    Peg Woffington | Charles Reade
  • "And the breadth of their hands, too," said pomander, waking from a nap.

    Peg Woffington | Charles Reade
  • This Sir Charles pomander was a gentleman of vice; pleasure he called it.

    Peg Woffington | Charles Reade
  • "I accept your courteous dismissal, madam," said pomander, grinding his teeth.

    Peg Woffington | Charles Reade
  • pomander recovered himself a little; he laughed with quiet insolence.

    Peg Woffington | Charles Reade

British Dictionary definitions for pomander

pomander

/ (pəʊˈmændə) /


noun
  1. a mixture of aromatic substances in a sachet or an orange, formerly carried as scent or as a protection against disease

  2. a container for such a mixture

Origin of pomander

1
C15: from Old French pome d'ambre, from Medieval Latin pōmum ambrae apple of amber

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012