A fragrant wood from trees of the genus Santalum, highly valued for its sweet scent and used in perfumes, incense, and religious ceremonies. The wood retains its fragrance for decades.
From Medieval Latin santalum, which came from Arabic صندل (sandal), ultimately derived from Sanskrit चन्दन (candana) meaning 'sandalwood.' The word entered English in the 14th century through trade connections, as sandalwood was one of the most precious commodities in medieval commerce between Asia and Europe.
Sandalwood was so valuable in ancient times that it was literally worth its weight in gold - Indian sandalwood trees were considered sacred and could only be harvested by royal decree! The word traveled the ancient spice routes from Sanskrit through Arabic to Latin, carrying with it the mystique of one of the world's most treasured fragrances.
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