orris
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or·ris
(ôr′ĭs, ŏr′-)n.
1. Any of several species of iris having a fragrant rootstock, especially Iris pallida and cultivars of the hybrid species I. ×germanica.
2. The fragrant rootstock of an orris, used chiefly in perfumes. Also called orrisroot.
[Probably alteration of Middle English yreos, from Medieval Latin, alteration of Latin īris; see iris.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
orris
(ˈɒrɪs) ororrice
n
1. (Plants) any of various irises, esp Iris florentina, that have fragrant rhizomes
2. (Elements & Compounds) Also called: orrisroot the rhizome of such a plant, prepared and used as perfume
[C16: variant of iris]
orris
(ˈɒrɪs)n
(Textiles) a kind of lace made of gold or silver, used esp in the 18th century
[from Old French orfreis, from Latin auriphrygium Phrygian gold]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
or•ris
(ˈɔr ɪs, ˈɒr-)n.
an iris, Iris germanica florentina, having a fragrant rootstock.
[1535–45; unexplained alter. of iris]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| Noun | 1. |  orris - German iris having large white flowers with lavender-tinged falls and a fragrant rhizomebearded iris - any of numerous wild or cultivated irises with hairlike structures on the falls (the drooping sepals) |
| 2. | orris - fragrant rootstock of various irises especially Florentine iris; used in perfumes and medicines Florentine iris, Iris florentina, Iris germanica florentina, orris - German iris having large white flowers with lavender-tinged falls and a fragrant rhizome root - (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground |
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