Perfumeries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A shop or store specializing in the sale of scented products, primarily fragrances for personal use
2. A place where various types of perfumes are created, blended, and sold
3. An establishment dedicated to the crafting and retailing of aromatic substances for beautification and aesthetic enjoyment

Etymology: The word "perfumeries" is simply the plural of "perfumery," so it inherits everything about its base. "Perfume" came into English from Old French "parfum," a noun derived from the Italian "perfumare," meaning "to smoke through" or "to fumigate," reflecting the old practice of scenting spaces by burning aromatic substances. The French ending "-erie" marks a place or trade, and English took that suffix in its own form, "-ery," which appears in Middle English as "-erie." Attaching it to "perfume" produced a name for the workshop or shop where scents were made and sold.

Synonyms: fragrance shops, scent boutiques