Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SAN'DAL, or SAN'DAL-WOOD, n. [Ar. صُنَادِلٌ sonadilin; Pers. جُنْدُلْ jondul.]

The wood of the Santalum album, which is a low tree, having a general resemblance to the Privet or Prim. When the sandal tree becomes old, the harder central wood acquires a yellow color and great fragrance, while the softer exterior wood remains white and destitute of fragrance. The former is what is called yellow sandal wood, and the latter white sandal wood. It is the yellow wood only, which is highly esteemed for its perfume, and which is considered so valuable for musical instruments, boxes, cabinets, &c. This article grows chiefly on the coast of Malabar and in the Indian Archipelago. I believe that the name sanders is never applied to sandal wood. The red sanders wood is as different as possible from sandal wood. It is the produce of a lofty tree, having no affinity with the sandal tree. It is the Pterocarpus santalinus, a native of India. Its wood has a bright garnet red color, and is used only for its coloring matter. I believe that the name sandal wood is never applied to this article.