bergamot

[ bur-guh-mot, -muht ]

noun

1. a small citrus tree, Citrus aurantium bergamia, having fruit with a rind that yields a fragrant essential oil.
2. Also called essence of bergamot. the oil or essence itself.
3. any of various plants of the mint family, as Monarda fistulosa, yielding an oil resembling essence of bergamot.
4. a variety of pear.

bergamot

/ ˈbɜːɡəˌmɒt /

noun

1. Also calledbergamot orange a small Asian spiny rutaceous tree, Citrus bergamia , having sour pear-shaped fruit
2. essence of bergamot
   essence of bergamot a fragrant essential oil from the fruit rind of this plant, used in perfumery and some teas (including Earl Grey)
3. a Mediterranean mint, Mentha citrata , that yields an oil similar to essence of bergamot
4. 1. wild bergamot a North American plant, Monarda fistulosa , with clusters of purple flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
   2. a garden plant of the same genus, usually M. didyma (bee balm), grown for its scarlet or pink flowers
5. a variety of pear

Word History and Origins

Origin of bergamot¹

1610–20; < French bergamote < Italian bergamotta < Ottoman Turkish; compare Mod Turkish bey armudlu literally, bey's pear ( bey bey + armut pear (< Persian ) + -u 3rd-person singular possessive suffix); Italian form perhaps by association with Bergamo, Bergama, with -otta as alteration to a familiar suffix; the citrus apparently so called from its resemblance to the pear

Word History and Origins

Origin of bergamot¹

C17: from French bergamote , from Italian bergamotta , of Turkic origin; related to Turkish bey-armudu prince's pear; see bey

Example Sentences

Before you try analyzing the bergamot accents and patchouli notes of your favorite perfume though, you can aim for something simpler by playing around with essential oils.

From Popular-Science

It's also amazing that this dressed-up baby is getting thrown out with its bergamot-scented bathwater.

From The Daily Beast

No more were bergamot or southern-wood, although vegetable in their nature.

From Project Gutenberg

My handkerchief smelt of lavender, and my hair of oil of thyme—my waistcoat of bergamot, and my inexpressibles of musk.

From Project Gutenberg

Rub the musk with the bergamot, then add it to the soap, and beat up.

From Project Gutenberg

Oil of bergamot, is extracted by pressure from the rind of the ripe fruit of the citrus bergamium and aurantium.

From Project Gutenberg

A great round bed of "Robin-run-away," bergamot, that scented the air and attracted the humming-birds.

From Project Gutenberg