potpourri
UK: /ˌpəʊˈpʊəri/ | US: /ˌpoʊpʊˈriː/
n. a mixture of dried flower petals, herbs, and spices used to perfume the air
n. a mixture or medley of various things (e.g., ideas, styles, or objects)
The word potpourri originates from 17th-century French, where it literally meant "rotten pot" (pot "container" + pourri "rotten"). It originally referred to a stew of mixed meats and vegetables, later evolving to describe a jar of decaying fragrant materials (flowers, spices) used for scent. By the 19th century, it broadened metaphorically to denote any eclectic mixture. The shift from literal decay to pleasant fragrance reflects the preservation process of dried botanicals.
She placed a bowl of lavender potpourri on the coffee table.
The festival was a potpourri of music, dance, and art from different cultures.
His essay was a potpourri of philosophical ideas and personal anecdotes.
The antique shop sold potpourri in hand-sewn silk sachets.
The album is a delightful potpourri of jazz, folk, and electronic sounds.