aroma
(əˈrəʊmə)
Forms: 3–7 aromat, (pl. 3–4 -az, = -atz), 4–7 aromate, 8– aroma.
[a. OF. aromat (now aromate), ad. L. arōmata, pl. of arōma, a. Gr. ἄρωµα. In mod. times altered back to L. and Gr. form; occas. even with pl. aˈromata, though aˈromas is usual.]
† 1. Spice; usually in pl. spices. Obs.
| c 1220 Leg. Kath. 2225 Wið smirles of aromaz. c 1230 Ancr. R. 376 Þeos þreo Maries bouhten swote smellinde aromaz uorto smurien mide ure Louerd. a 1300 Cursor M. 21299 Þe foerth sauurs als aromat. 1494 Fabyan i. iii. 10 With dyuers Aromats & spyces of moste swettest odour. 1637 Nabbes Microcosm. in Dodsley O.P. IX. 240 And breathes perfumes, no Persian aromats Can imitate. 1686 W. Harris Lemery's Chym. i. xvii. 408 You may make use of other Aromates or Spices. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Aroma is, by some authors, particularly applied to denote myrrh. |
2. The distinctive fragrance exhaled from a spice, plant, etc.; gen. an agreeable odour, a sweet smell.
| 1814 Edin. Rev. XXIII. 116 The more odorous plants..whose aroma we may wish to retain. 1873 E. Smith Foods 23 The nutritive qualities of the lean meat are there, except the aromas, which may have escaped under the influence of heat. |
b. An aromatic essence or oil.
| 1830 Coleridge Lect. Shaks. II. 203 Its [a plant's] balsams, gums, resins, aromata..are..mere excretions from the vegetable. |
3. fig. A subtle pervasive quality or charm.
| 1851 Carlyle Sterling i. ii. (1872) 11 The delicate aroma of his nature. 1861 Trollope Tales of all Countries viii. 281 The language of the people has not the pure Parisian aroma. |