Sandalwood Tree
/ˈsæn.dəl.wʊd triː/noun
A tree of the genus Santalum, especially Santalum album, valued for its aromatic heartwood and oil.
Did you know?Sandalwood has been used in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic rituals, while its oil also became prized in perfumery and traditional medicine.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
candana
“Sandalwood; the aromatic wood of the sandalwood tree”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
candana
“Sandalwood used as a fragrant substance, cosmetic, and ritual material”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
ṣandal
“Sandalwood, borrowed through trade from South Asian languages”
Medieval Latin
Latin
sandalum
“Sandalwood; an imported aromatic wood”
Middle English
English
sandal
“Sandalwood, especially the fragrant imported timber”
Modern English
English
sandalwood
“The aromatic wood of Santalum trees; formed from sandal plus wood”
Modern English
English
sandalwood tree
“A tree that produces sandalwood, particularly Santalum album”