orris root

noun

or·​ris root ˈȯr-əs- How to pronounce orris root (audio)
ˈär-
variants or less commonly orris
ˈȯr-əs How to pronounce orris root (audio)
ˈär-
: the fragrant rootstock of either of two European irises (Iris germanica, and I. pallida) used especially in perfumery

Examples of orris root in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This candle brings peak produce to the darkest hours, with notes of fresh bergamot and pink pepper with warm musks, jasmine petals, and soft orris root. Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024 The notes range from ginger to orris root, white cedar and vetiver. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024 Harmony also uses a botanical mixture of juniper berries, coriander seed, hyssop, lemon peel, lime peel, angelica root, and orris root to define its flavor. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2023 Here’s a sour golden ale laced with juniper berries, orange peel, dried rose petals, orris root and angelica root, all aged in oak barrels. Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023 Meant to be reminiscent of inspirational voyages, the juice tells that story with green mandarin, incense, amber, orris root, tobacco leaves, oud, suede and smoked musk. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021 This is an Old Tom-style gin that is infused with 10 botanicals: honey, juniper, hibiscus, coriander, honey malt, Szechuan peppercorn, orris root, orange peel, lemon peel and angelica root. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2022 In this fragrance’s heart are spicy and warm notes of nutmeg, pimento and orris root. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Nov. 2022 The distillery also uses orris root, cinnamon, goldenrod, licorice, Persian lime, angelica, coriander, bitter orange peel, and lemon peel in its botanical blend. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 19 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

orris, earlier oreys, arras, probably altered from Latin īris iris entry 1, though alteration of vowels is unexplained

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orris root was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near orris root

Cite this Entry

“Orris root.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orris%20root. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

orris root

noun
: the fragrant rootstock of any of three European irises (Iris pallida, I. florentina, and I. germanica) used in pulverized form in perfumery and pharmacology

called also orris

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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