Find the word definition

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rose-water

Rose-water \Rose"-wa`ter\, a. Having the odor of rose water; hence, affectedly nice or delicate; sentimental. ``Rose-water philanthropy.''
--Carlyle.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
rose-water

late 14c., water tinctured with oil of roses, from rose (n.1) + water (n.1). Symbolic of affected delicacy or sentimentalism. Similar formation in Middle Dutch rosenwater, Dutch rozenwater, German Rosenwasser.

Usage examples of "rose-water".

Ten or twelve slaves carried round silver vessels like that used by Sencho, while others followed with incense-burning censers and aspergills for sprinkling rose-water.

In this chamber some half dozen persons were seated in the Eastern fashion, and smoking either the choice tobaccoes of Syria through the cherry-wood or jasmine tube of a Turkish or Egyptian chibouque, or inhaling through rose-water the more artificial flavour of the nargileh, which is the hookah of the Levant.

A solution made with borax, two drachms, and morphine, fire grains, dissolved in six ounces of rose-water, makes an excellent lotion to allay the itching.

The French make an ointment of Cucumber, using it like cold cream, called 'Pomade aux Concombres,' made with Cucumber juice, lard, veal suet, Balsam of Tolu in alcohol, and rose-water.

Fountains of clear water, rose-water and liquors drawn from the sugar-cane played incessantly in the squares, which were paved with jewels that gave off an odour like that of cloves and cinnamon.

Mix it with rose-water, five ounces, orange-flower water, two ounces, also two drachms of musk and six ounces of distilled water.