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 1. a. orig. A mixture of aromatic substances, usually made into a ball,
and carried in a small box or bag (see 2) in the hand or pocket, or
suspended by a chain from the neck or waist, esp. as a preservative
against infection. Now, a piece of fruit, esp. an orange, stuck with
cloves and usu. tied with ribbon, which is hung or placed in a wardrobe.

  1492 Privy Purse Exp. Hen. VII in Bentley Excerpta Hist. (1831) 90 To
one that brought the King a box with pomandre 10s. 1509 HAWES Past. Pleas.
XXVII. 125 The rofe was..Knotted with pomaunders right swetely, Encencing
out the yll odours misty. 1523 SKELTON Garl. Laurel 1027 Colyaunder, Swete
pomaunder, Good cassaunder. 1542 BOORDE Dyetary xxvii. (1870) 290 Make a
pomemaunder vnder this maner. 1562 W. BULLEIN Bulwark, Bk. Simples 59b, A
precious Pomamber to be worne against foule stinkyng aire. 1564-78 {emem}
Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 49 Be not without a good Pomeamber made of
Storax, Calamite [etc.].

[snip]

  2. a. orig. The case in which this perfume was carried, usually a hollow
ball of gold, silver, ivory, etc., often in the shape of an apple or
orange. Now, a small perforated ceramic container filled with pot-pourri
or other aromatic substances, for hanging in a wardrobe, placing on a
dressing-table, etc.

  1518 Privy Purse Exp. Princess Mary 1 Jan. (1831) p. xxii, To the
frenche quenes seruant that brought a pomander of gold.

Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, mka Jennifer Heise	      jenne at mail.browser.net
"I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by risking, by
giving, by losing." -- Anais Nin