pomander

C2 Topic:Senses & Perception

US /ˈpoʊ.mæn.dɚ/ UK /ˈpɒm.æn.də/ See IPA manual

Freq #353799

Meanings

1

noun
historical: a ball of aromatic substances carried for fragrance or as a supposed protection against infection

The courtier carried a pomander compounded from ambergris, musk, and spices.
2

noun
a small perforated case or piece of jewellery made to hold aromatic substances

The silver pomander opened into compartments for several different perfumes.
3

noun
an orange or other fruit studded with cloves and used as a fragrant decoration

They hung a clove-studded pomander beside the winter greenery.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · historical: a ball of... scent ball

2 noun · a small perforated case or... scent caseperfume container

3 noun · an orange or other fruit... clove orange

Word family

Derived forms pomanderspomandered

Related forms ambergris muskcivetpotpourri

Etymology

From Old French pomme d'ambre, 'apple of ambergris,' from pomme, 'apple or ball,' + ambre, 'ambergris.' The name first denoted a fragrant compound and then its pierced container; modern decorative clove-studded fruit preserves the round scented form.

Topics

Senses & Perception

External links

# pomander

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈpoʊ.mæn.dɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈpɒm.æn.də/
**Frequency rank:** 353799

## Meanings
1. historical: a ball of aromatic substances carried for fragrance or as a supposed protection against infection
2. a small perforated case or piece of jewellery made to hold aromatic substances
3. an orange or other fruit studded with cloves and used as a fragrant decoration

## Examples
- The courtier carried a pomander compounded from ambergris, musk, and spices.
- The silver pomander opened into compartments for several different perfumes.
- They hung a clove-studded pomander beside the winter greenery.

## Synonyms
- scent ball
- scent case
- clove orange

## Derived Forms
- pomanders
- pomandered

## Related Forms
- ambergris
- musk
- civet
- potpourri

## Etymology
From Old French pomme d'ambre, 'apple of ambergris,' from pomme, 'apple or ball,' + ambre, 'ambergris.' The name first denoted a fragrant compound and then its pierced container; modern decorative clove-studded fruit preserves the round scented form.

## Topics
- Senses & Perception

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