Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Orris

Or′ris

,
Noun.
[Prob. corrupted from It.
ireos
iris. See
Iris
.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus
Iris
(
Iris Florentina
); a kind of flower-de-luce. Its rootstock has an odor resembling that of violets.
Orris pea
(Med.)
,
an issue pea made from orris root.
Orris root
,
the fragrant rootstock of the orris.

Or′ris

,
Noun.
1.
[Contr. from
orfrays
, or from
arras
.]
A sort of gold or silver lace.
Johnson.
2.
A peculiar pattern in which gold lace or silver lace is worked; especially, one in which the edges are ornamented with conical figures placed at equal distances, with spots between them.

Webster 1828 Edition


Orris

OR'RIS

, n.
1.
The plant iris, of which orris seems to be a corruption; fleur de lis or flag-flower.
2.
A sort of gold or silver lace.

Definition 2024


orris

orris

English

Noun

orris (plural orrises)

  1. Any of several irises that have a fragrant root, especially Iris × germanica.
  2. The fragrant root of such an iris.
    • 1826, Samuel Adams, Sarah Adams, The Complete Servant, page 169,
      Drop twelve drops of genuine oil of rhodium on a lump of loaf-sugar ; grind this wel in a glass mortar, and mix it thoroughly with three pounds of orris powder.
    • 1998, Claire Kowalchik, William H. Hylton, Orris, entry in Rodale′s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, page 406,
      Orris is the part of the florentine iris you don′t see — the rhizome. [] The ancient Egyptians and Greeks learned that the bland-smelling orris root would take on a remarkable fragrance if dried for at least two years.
    • 2000, Lady Sabrina, The Witch′s Master Grimoire, page 122,
      Next place your hair, the rose quartz, some of the orris root powder, and the candle drippings into the box.

Etymology 2

Contracted from orfrays, or from arras.

Noun

orris (plural orrises)

  1. A type of gold or silver lace.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Johnson to this entry?)
  2. A pattern in which gold lace or silver lace is worked, especially one in which the edges are ornamented with conical figures placed at equal distances, with spots between them.