otto1
(ˈɒtəʊ)
Also 8–9 otter, ottar.
An altered form of the word more accurately spelt attar, in otto of roses, the fragrant essence of roses.
| 1639 Shirley The Ball iv. i, I left your kick With your cousin to buy otto. 1785 Mackenzie Lounger No. 12 ¶8 With episodes of dancing girls, and otter of roses! 1792 A. Young Trav. France 186 Roses are a great article for the famous otter, all of which is commonly supposed to come from Bengal. 1813 Moore Post-bag, Hor., Od. ii. xi, While Otto of Roses Refreshing all noses Shall sweetly exhale from our whiskers and wigs. 1835 Blackw. Mag. XXXVII. 440 Sweet as ottar of roses distilled by the alchymic sun. 1908 Westm. Gaz. 30 Mar. 10/3 As a scent otto of violets has become increasingly popular each year. 1919 S. Kaye-Smith Tamarisk Town i. ii. 48 There was a drift of faint perfumes: flowers, macassar oil, otto of roses, lavender and peau d'espagne. 1939–40 Army & Navy Stores Catal. 431/1 Cold cream, ‘Otto of Rose’ jar, 1/3. |
b. Hence, jocularly, a liquid with a fragrant or characteristic odour.
| 1849 Thackeray Pendennis xlviii, The Captain, before issuing..scented himself with otto of whisky. |
Hence ˈottoed a., perfumed with otto of roses.
| 1810 Splendid Follies I. 177 An ell of ottoed cambric. |