orris root
noun
or·ris root ˈȯr-əs- 
ˈär-
variants or less commonly orris
ˈȯr-əs
ˈär-
: the fragrant rootstock of any of three European irises (Iris florentina, I. germanica, and I. pallida) used especially in perfumery
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The distillery also uses orris root, cinnamon, goldenrod, licorice, Persian lime, angelica, coriander, bitter orange peel, and lemon peel in its botanical blend. 
Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 19 July 2022 Beefeater uses seven botanicals in their gin recipe: juniper, angelica seeds and root, coriander seeds, Seville orange peel, lemon peel, licorice, almonds and orris root. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The brand’s scents are named for cities, from Amsterdam, which combines a note of the city’s tulips and rain with a warmer base of woods and spice, to Bukhara in Uzbekistan, a homage to the ancient silk road centered on orris root. Alexander Freeling, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2021 One features lime, coconut and orris root intended to complement London dry gins like Salcombe’s own Start Point, while the other, orange and rockrose-based version is ideal with pink gins, like its Rosé Sainte Marie. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2021 The magnetic heart of orris root and ciste abs center around significant notes of tobacco leaves. Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021 Named for Lord Darnley — who met his future wife, Mary Queen of Scots, at the castle in 1565 — the elderflower is macerated with juniper, orris root, citrus, coriander, and grains of paradise before getting distilled in a traditional copper pot. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 Pliny the Elder wrote of orris root’s use in medicine and perfumery in the 1st century AD, commending the Florentine source for its superiority. April Long, Town & Country, 26 Aug. 2021 After the flower blooms, its rhizome (called orris root) must be left in the ground for three years. April Long, Town & Country, 26 Aug. 2021 See More
Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 19 July 2022 Beefeater uses seven botanicals in their gin recipe: juniper, angelica seeds and root, coriander seeds, Seville orange peel, lemon peel, licorice, almonds and orris root. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The brand’s scents are named for cities, from Amsterdam, which combines a note of the city’s tulips and rain with a warmer base of woods and spice, to Bukhara in Uzbekistan, a homage to the ancient silk road centered on orris root. Alexander Freeling, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2021 One features lime, coconut and orris root intended to complement London dry gins like Salcombe’s own Start Point, while the other, orange and rockrose-based version is ideal with pink gins, like its Rosé Sainte Marie. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2021 The magnetic heart of orris root and ciste abs center around significant notes of tobacco leaves. Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2021 Named for Lord Darnley — who met his future wife, Mary Queen of Scots, at the castle in 1565 — the elderflower is macerated with juniper, orris root, citrus, coriander, and grains of paradise before getting distilled in a traditional copper pot. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 Pliny the Elder wrote of orris root’s use in medicine and perfumery in the 1st century AD, commending the Florentine source for its superiority. April Long, Town & Country, 26 Aug. 2021 After the flower blooms, its rhizome (called orris root) must be left in the ground for three years. April Long, Town & Country, 26 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
orris, earlier oreys, arras, probably altered from Latin īris iris entry 1, though alteration of vowels is unexplained
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
orris root
noun
or·ris root ˈȯr-əs-ˌrüt, ˈär-əs-, -ˌru̇t
: the fragrant rootstock of any of three European irises (Iris pallida, I. florentina, and I. germanica) used in pulverized form in perfumery and pharmacology
called also orris