orris

¹

or or·rice

[ awr-is, or- ]

noun

1. an iris, Iris germanica florentina, having a fragrant rootstock.

orris

²

[ awr-is, or- ]

noun

1. a lace or braid made of gold or silver, much used in the 18th century.
2. a galloon used in upholstering.

orris

¹

/ ˈɒrɪs /

noun

1. any of various irises, esp Iris florentina, that have fragrant rhizomes
2. Also called'orrisroot the rhizome of such a plant, prepared and used as perfume

orris

²

/ ˈɒrɪs /

noun

1. a kind of lace made of gold or silver, used esp in the 18th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of orris¹

First recorded in 1535–45; unexplained alteration of iris

Origin of orris²

1695–1705; perhaps alteration (by influence of arras tapestry) of earlier orfrays orphrey

Word History and Origins

Origin of orris¹

C16: variant of iris

Origin of orris²

from Old French orfreis, from Latin auriphrygium Phrygian gold

Example Sentences

The best tooth-powders are made from cuttle-fish, prepared chalk, and orris-root commingled together in equal quantities.

From Project Gutenberg

He kept his face against her hair, soft and silky, and fragrant with orris—forgetting himself utterly in his loving pity for her.

From Project Gutenberg

Orris, or′is, n. a peculiar kind of gold or silver lace: upholsterers' galloon and gimp.

From Project Gutenberg

Orris root, which is used in perfumery, is the stem of the Iris florentina.

From Project Gutenberg

It was as soft as satin, and smelt faintly of orris, and her fingers closed on his with a little friendly pressure.

From Project Gutenberg