pomander

pomander
/poh"man deuhr, poh man"deuhr/, n.
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.
[1425-75; earlier pomaundre, pomemandre, late ME pomendambre < MF pome d'ambre (cf. obs. E pom(e)amber) < ML pomum ambre (L ambrae) lit., apple of amber. See POME, AMBER]

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      small metal (sometimes china) container designed to hold a ball of aromatic spices or herbs. Worn suspended from neck or girdle or attached to the finger by a ring, it was believed to be a protection against infections and noxious smells. As fashionable jewelry in the late Middle Ages, pomanders were decorative objects often enriched with gems and enamels. Late in the 16th century, the original sphere shape was divided into several segments in order to accommodate a variety of powdered spices, and soon afterward pomanders in the form of dice, skulls, and books appeared.

      They were succeeded in the 18th century and 19th century by the vinaigrette. In the 20th century, inexpensive pomanders are made by encrusting an orange with whole dried cloves. See also pouncet-box.

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  • Pomander — Po*man der, n. [Sp. poma.] (a) A perfume to be carried with one, often in the form of a ball. (b) A box to contain such perfume, formerly carried by ladies, as at the end of a chain; more properly {pomander box}. [Obs.] Bacon. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pomander — ► NOUN ▪ a ball or perforated container of mixed aromatic substances used to perfume a room or cupboard or (formerly) carried as protection against infection. ORIGIN from Latin pomum de ambra apple of ambergris …   English terms dictionary

  • pomander — [pō′man΄dər, pō man′dər] n. [earlier pomamber < MFr pome ambre, pomme d ambre < pome (see POME) + ambre, amber] 1. a mixture of aromatic substances balled together and carried about with one, esp. formerly as a supposed safeguard against… …   English World dictionary

  • Pomander — Der Begriff Bisamapfel bezeichnet Duftstoffzubereitungen mit Zutaten wie Ambra oder Moschus („Bisam“) sowie die tragbaren, meist annähernd kugelförmigen Behälter, in denen sie aufbewahrt wurden. Bisamäpfel wurden bis ins 17. Jahrhundert hinein zu …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Pomander — A pomander, from French pomme d ambre , i.e. apple of amber, is a ball made of perfumes, such as ambergris (whence the name), musk, or civet. The pomander was worn or carried in a vase, also known by the same name, as a protection against… …   Wikipedia

  • pomander — UK [pəʊˈmændə(r)] / US [ˈpoʊˌmændər] noun [countable] Word forms pomander : singular pomander plural pomanders a ball filled with pleasant smelling substances that is put in a cupboard, drawer etc and was carried in the past as a protection… …   English dictionary

  • pomander — noun Etymology: Middle English, modification of Anglo French pomme de ambre, literally, apple or ball of amber Date: 15th century 1. a mixture of aromatic substances enclosed in a perforated bag or box and used to scent clothes and linens or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pomander box — Pomander Po*man der, n. [Sp. poma.] (a) A perfume to be carried with one, often in the form of a ball. (b) A box to contain such perfume, formerly carried by ladies, as at the end of a chain; more properly {pomander box}. [Obs.] Bacon. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pomander — noun a) A mixture of aromatic substances, made into a ball and carried as a protection against infection b) An orange, studded with cloves, hung in a wardrobe to provide a sweet smell …   Wiktionary

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