orange blossomn.
/ˈɒrᵻn(d)ʒ ˌblɒs(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈɔr(ə)ndʒ ˌblɑs(ə)m/, /ˈɑr(ə)ndʒ ˌblɑs(ə)m/ 1.
a. The white fragrant blossom of the orange tree. Frequently in plural, esp. in early use.Mexican orange-blossom: see Mexican orange-blossom n. at Mexican n. and adj. Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular fruit-tree or -plant > [noun] > tree or plant bearing citrus fruit > orange trees > blossom
orange flower1595
orange blossom1642
orange bloom1713
1642 F. Kinnaston Leoline & Sydanis 95 As Pluto erst took Proserpine away:..Hath on a downy Couch layd her to sleepe, With Orenge blossoms strow'd.
1755 G. G. Beekman Let. 30 June in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 257 Pray Procure a bottle of best Sweet Oyl and Devide it into Two Bottles and have them well filled with New Picked Sweet Orringe Blossoms.
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 152 The ground strewed over with orange blossoms and jasmines.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Daisy in Maud & Other Poems 137 O Love, what hours were thine and mine,..In lands of palm, of orange-blossom,..and vine.
1942 E. Langley Pea Pickers vii. 85 The orange blossoms blowing clear and sharp near the stone steps hurt my heart with the wildness of their perfume.
1992 Hair Flair (BNC) Mar. 17 Lavender oil..is relaxing.., whilst neroli obtained from orange blossom works well on dry skin.
b. Chiefly English regional. The flowers of the mock orange, Philadelphus coronarius, which resemble those of an orange tree in scent; (also orange-blossom tree) the tree itself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > cultivated or ornamental trees and shrubs > [noun] > hydrangeas
hydrangea1753
hortensia1799
orange blossom1882
lacecap1950
mophead1963
1882 H. Friend Gloss. Devonshire Plant Names 41 Orange Blossom, Philadelphus coronarius, L. The flowers only.
1907 N.E.D. at Pipe-tree The Common Syringa, Mock Orange, or Orange-blossom (F. séringat), Philadelphus coronarius.
2001 Western Daily Press (Nexis) 28 July 24 Our two big orange blossom trees are out now,..scenting the air on the bank, but we haven't seen our squirrel.
2. Orange blossom as traditionally worn or carried by the bride at a wedding ceremony. Also figurative (with reference to this bridal tradition).The custom appears to have been introduced into Britain from France c1820–30. According to Littré, ‘Women at their marriage wear a crown of orange buds and blossoms; hence the orange-blossom is taken as a symbol of marriage’. (Thackeray's explanation of the symbolism in quot. 1847 appears to be his own.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > equipment or accessories of wedding > [noun] > emblem or favour
rosemary1559
wedding-favour1681
bride-knot1694
bridal favour1756
orange blossomc1835
c1835 T. H. Bayly She wore Wreath of Roses (song) A wreath of orange blossom upon her head she wore.
1840 Observer 16 Feb. 8/2 Her Majesty the Queen wore on her head a wreath of orange blossoms and a veil of Honiton lace.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xii. 102 Had orange blossoms been invented then (those touching emblems of female purity imported by us from France..) Miss Maria..would have assumed the spotless wreath.
a1891 W. E. Norris in J. M. Dixon Dict. Idiomatic Eng. Phrases (1891) ‘What has he come to this lovely retreat for? To gather orange-blossoms?’ [i.e. get a bride].
1945 E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited iii. i. 244 Celia's never quite got the orange blossom out of her hair, has she?
1995 Palm Beach (Florida) Post (Nexis) 5 Mar. 2 When it's time to plan their weddings, some couples are skipping the traditional orange blossoms and white tulle.
3. A type of cocktail, usually made with gin and orange juice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > cocktail > [noun] > other cocktails
balderdash1611
twist1699
Coke-upon-Littleton1740
julep1787
camphor julep1788
switchel1790
sling1792
mint sling1804
mint julep1809
swizzle1813
smash1850
rattlesnake1862
sour1862
Collins1865
John Collins1865
split1882
rickey1893
Picon punch1900
stinger1901
Bronx1906
Jack Rose1912
Pimm's1912
orange blossom1919
Americano1928
Merry Widow1930
snowball1930
atomic cocktail1941
Sazarac cocktail1941
grasshopper1949
Bellini1955
saketini1959
wallbanger1970
caipirinha1973
Long Island ice tea1978
Alabama slammer1980
Long Island iced tea1981
1919 N.Y. Tribune 22 Jan. 8/4 The groom's father was caught with a double Orange Blossom in each hand.
1938 L. Bemelmans Life Class (1939) ii. ii. 134 Waiters stand about with trays of cocktails, the favourite being Orange Blossoms, a mixture of gin and orange juice.
1985 L. Kennedy Airman & Carpenter (1986) vi. xv. 240 He was an alcoholic who could only function on several orange blossoms a day.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1642