potpourri

[ poh-poo-ree, poh-poo-ree ]

noun

1. a mixture of dried petals of roses or other flowers with spices, kept in a jar for their fragrance.
2. a musical medley.
3. a collection of miscellaneous literary extracts.
4. any mixture, especially of unrelated objects, subjects, etc.

   Synonyms: patchwork, mishmash, hodgepodge, pastiche

potpourri

/ ˌpəʊˈpʊərɪ /

noun

1. a collection of mixed flower petals dried and preserved in a pot to scent the air
2. a collection of unrelated or disparate items; miscellany
3. a medley of popular tunes
4. a stew of meat and vegetables

Word History and Origins

Origin of potpourri¹

1605–15; < French: literally, rotten pot, translation of Spanish olla podrida olla podrida; pot ¹, putrid

Word History and Origins

Origin of potpourri¹

C18: from French, literally: rotten pot, translation of Spanish olla podrida miscellany

Example Sentences

Research suggests that although there may be a genetic component, resilience is a function of a potpourri of factors, not a must-have gene, trait or cultural determinant.

From Washington Post

The team’s spark of insight came when they realized that after three weeks, the cells began to branch out into a potpourri of three different cell types found in early human embryos—something rarely seen before.

From Singularity Hub 

If that seems a cultural potpourri, that would be the point.

From The Daily Beast

He thought he detected a pleasant smell of herbs, like the potpourri his mother had in bowls in their house.

From Project Gutenberg

Betty knows how to make that potpourri that Lloyd's Grandmother Amanthis always kept in the rose-jars in the drawing-room.

From Project Gutenberg

It held garnered with loving faith the memories of another day, as a bowl of potpourri still holds the sun of long dead summers.

From Project Gutenberg

The opera is a grand potpourri of waltz and polka motives and fresh, bright melodies.

From Project Gutenberg

And the rose he married comes to him a shrivelled leaf of a potpourri heap.

From Project Gutenberg