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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


orris

2

/ ˈɒrɪs /

noun

  1. a kind of lace made of gold or silver, used esp in the 18th century
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of orris1

C16: variant of iris

Origin of orris2

from Old French orfreis, from Latin auriphrygium Phrygian gold
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Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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

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Orrinorrisroot