pomander
noun
Did you know?
In earlier times, there was more at stake in the use of an "apple of amber" (the literal meaning of Anglo-French pomme de ambre, modified to "pomander" in Middle English) than the addition of holiday spirit. Pomanders were used to offset foul odors and were also believed to protect against disease. Early pomanders were usually mixtures of fragrant spices, herbs, etc. in small metal containers, and they were often worn on chains, as jewelry, around the neck or at the waist. Today, we no longer believe pomanders ward off infections, but we still like nice-smelling things, and the word pomander survives to name the modern version of this aromatic, decorative object.
Example Sentences
Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021 Wealthy women carried a pomander on a chain, then an expensive fashion accessory. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2021 Stud a fresh orange with cloves for pomander balls that fill the house with a spicy-sweet scent, then upcycle leftover glass jars into a colorful Kwanzaa kinara. Jen Rose Smith, CNN, 19 Nov. 2020 Think of drinking red wine that has marinated a pomander orange. Dave Mcintyre, chicagotribune.com, 26 Dec. 2017 Word History
Middle English, modification of Anglo-French pomme de ambre, literally, apple or ball of amber
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
pomander
noun