Santal
/ˈsæntəl/noun
A fragrance note or ingredient derived from sandalwood, especially in perfumery.
Did you know?Santal entered English through French as a perfume term tied to sandalwood, whose aromatic wood has long been used in religious rites and incense across South Asia and beyond.
Etymological Timeline
Sanskrit
Skt
candana
“sandalwood, fragrant wood used in ritual and perfume”
Arabic
Ar
ṣandal
“sandalwood”
Medieval Latin
ML
santalum
“sandalwood”
Old French
OF
santal
“sandalwood; the aromatic material used in perfumery”
Modern English
En
santal
“a perfumery term for sandalwood or a sandalwood-like note”
Explore more surprising origins