What is "eau de toilette"

n. A lightly scented perfume used as a skin freshener, usually applied directly to the skin after bathing or shaving.

n. a perfumed liquid lighter than cologne [syn: toilet water]

Bottles of eau de toilette]]

Eau de toilette or toilet water is a lightly scented cologne used as a skin freshener. It is also referred to as "aromatic waters" and has a high alcohol content. It is usually applied directly to the skin after bathing or shaving. It was originally composed of alcohol and various volatile oils. Traditionally these products were named after a principal ingredient; some being geranium water, lavender water, lilac water, violet water, spirit of myrcia and 'eau de Bretfeld'. Because of this, eau de toilette was sometimes referred to as "flower water".

In modern perfumery, the term eau de toilette is generally used to describe the concentration of fragrance, with eau de toilette being weaker than Eau de Parfum and stronger than eau de cologne.

1. The Free Dictionary definition↩
2. MacMillan Dictionary↩
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4. Cristiani, p. 117↩
5. toilet water term meaning↩
6. Distinguishing Colognes, Perfumes, Scents, & Toilet Waters↩
7. Cox, p. 118↩
8. Ebert, p. 304↩
9. Lawless, p. 39↩
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