orris

¹ American  

[awr-is, or-] / ˈɔr ɪs, ˈɒr- /

Or orrice

noun

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

---

orris ² American  

[awr-is, or-] / ˈɔr ɪs, ˈɒr- /

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 British  

/ 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 British  

/ ˈɒrɪs /

noun

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

---

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

The notes range from ginger to orris root, white cedar and vetiver.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2024

And I think that's because it has orris root in it, which is very earthy.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2022

The London dry contains the extracts of 10 botanicals, including juniper, coriander, orris root, lemon peel, liquorice, and various others, and it tastes warm and round.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2015

Their “secret sauce” is the proportions of their “botanicals,” including coriander seed, fennel seed, celery seed, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, cinnamon, lemon grass, grains of paradise, angelica root, orris root and sage.

From Washington Post • Feb. 10, 2013

I tried some orris root in it—pretty fair.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George