orris

1

or or·rice

[ awr-is, or- ]

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

Origin of orris

1
First recorded in 1535–45; unexplained alteration of iris

Other definitions for orris (2 of 2)

orris2
[ awr-is, or- ]

noun
  1. a lace or braid made of gold or silver, much used in the 18th century.

  2. a galloon used in upholstering.

Origin of orris

2
1695–1705; perhaps alteration (by influence of arras tapestry) of earlier orfraysorphrey

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How to use orris in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for orris (1 of 2)

orris1

orrice

/ (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

Origin of orris

1
C16: variant of iris

British Dictionary definitions for orris (2 of 2)

orris2

/ (ˈɒrɪs) /


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

Origin of orris

2
from Old French orfreis, from Latin auriphrygium Phrygian gold

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