Definition

1. Noun:
   • A volatile fragrant oil obtained from fresh roses by steam distillation: "Attar of roses" refers to a highly concentrated, aromatic essential oil extracted from rose petals through a process of steam distillation. It is prized for its intense floral scent and is used in perfumery, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The perfumer used a drop of pure attar of roses as the heart note of the fragrance.
  • Attar of roses has been a cherished ingredient in Middle Eastern perfumery for centuries.
  • She applied a tiny amount of attar of roses to her wrists for its calming aroma.

Advanced Usage

• "The attar of roses": When used with the definite article, it can refer to the substance in a general, uncountable sense, emphasizing its classic or archetypal nature.
  • The attar of roses in this blend is of exceptional quality.

Variants and Related Words

• Rose otto: Another name for attar of roses, specifically referring to the oil obtained through steam distillation.
  • Rose otto is often more expensive than rose absolute due to the extraction process.
• Rose absolute: A related fragrant oil extracted using solvents, which has a different aromatic profile from attar of roses.
• Attar: A more general term for any essential oil derived from flowers (e.g., attar of jasmine). "Attar of roses" is a specific type of attar.

Synonyms

• Rose essential oil: A more modern or generic term for the volatile oil from roses.
• Rose oil: A common synonym for attar of roses.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is almost always used in its full form, "attar of roses", to specify the floral source. The word "attar" alone (also spelled "otto" or "itr") is a broader term of Persian origin for fragrant oils.
• It is typically an uncountable noun. One refers to a quantity of it (e.g., "a vial of attar of roses") rather than multiple "attars of roses."

Noun

1. a volatile fragrant oil obtained from fresh roses by steam distillation