Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
rose-water [rohz-waw-ter, -wot-er] ExamplesWord Origin adjective
- having the aroma or fragrance of rose water.
- affectedly delicate, nice, or fine; sentimental: a Victorian novelist with a genteel, rose-water style.
Origin of rose-water First recorded in 1655–65 rose water noun
- water tinctured with the essential oil of roses, used as a perfume.
Origin of rose water Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400 Examples from the Web for rose-water Contemporary Examples of rose-water
This version is made with rose-water syrup, lending a particularly inviting sweet aroma to the pistachio-filled treats.
Cookstr.com
June 1, 2010
Historical Examples of rose-water
Again they prepared a bath of rose-water, and attended on and dressed the merchant.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various
Insurrections, like revolutions, are not made of rose-water.
Samuel Smiles.
Apply at night, and wash off with rose-water in the morning.
The Ladies Book of Useful Information
Anonymous
If rose-water is substituted for distilled water, the effect is pleasanter.
The Ladies Book of Useful Information
Anonymous
She must prepare three vessels: one of milk and water, one of milk, and one of rose-water.
Thomas Frederick Crane
British Dictionary definitions for rose-water rose-water noun
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- scented water used as a perfume and in cooking, made by the distillation of rose petals or by impregnation with oil of roses
- (as modifier)rose-water scent
- (modifier) elegant or delicate, esp excessively so
Word Origin and History for rose-water n.
late 14c., water tinctured with oil of roses, from rose (n.1) + water (n.1). Symbolic of affected delicacy or sentimentalism. Cf. Middle Dutch rosenwater, Dutch rozenwater, German Rosenwasser.