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.