Perfumes
Perfumes
Perfumes (/pərˈfjuːmz/) are a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents, used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living spaces a pleasant scent. The word perfume derives from the Latin perfumare, meaning "to smoke through".
Etymology
The term perfume comes from the Latin per fumum, which means "through smoke". This is because the earliest use of fragrances was in the form of incense, which was burned to release a pleasant aroma. The word was later adapted into French as parfum, which is the term used in modern French to refer to perfumes.
History
The art of making perfumes (Perfumery) has been known to mankind since ancient times. The first recorded use of perfumes is from ancient Egypt, where they were used in religious ceremonies. The Romans and the Persians also made extensive use of perfumes. The art of perfumery prospered in the Islamic world and was further refined by the Europeans.
Ingredients
Perfumes are made from a variety of ingredients, including essential oils, aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents. Essential oils are derived from plants and are responsible for the fragrance of the perfume. Aroma compounds are synthetic fragrances that are used to enhance the scent of the perfume. Fixatives are used to prolong the scent of the perfume, while solvents are used to dilute the perfume.
Types of Perfumes
There are several types of perfumes, including Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne, and Perfume Extract. Each type has a different concentration of fragrance, with Perfume Extract having the highest concentration and Eau de Cologne having the lowest.
Related Terms
- Essential oil: A concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.
- Aroma compound: A chemical compound that has a smell or odor.
- Fixative: A substance used to reduce the rate of evaporation and improve the longevity of the perfume.
- Solvent: A substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Perfumes
- Wikipedia's article - Perfumes
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