Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

open

English answer:

fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious

Added to glossary by Ivan Niu
May 28, 2012 02:07
11 yrs ago
English term

open

English Other Cosmetics, Beauty perfume
The Eau de Toilette is open and sparkling.

The Eau de Toilette is a type of perfume. When we use "open" to describe the perfume, what does it mean? Is there another adjective or phrase with the same meaning?

Must be an easy question for native English speakers. Thanks in advance!!

Responses

+5
3 hrs
Selected

fresh, natural, sincere, innocent, unpretentious

It's not such an easy question, Ivan, even for a native speaker. The word "open" seems to be designed to suggest qualities rather than describe literal attributes: it works by connotation, rather than denotation. Applied to a perfume, I associate "open" with honesty and simplicity, as when you describe a person as having an open nature. "Sparkling" suggest brightness, energy, something invigorating (I'm sure it doesn't mean that the eau de toilette is literally fizzy!). So I think it's meant to imply that the perfume is uncomplicated and fresh. It's trying to capture a feeling. Some combination of the words listed above might express what is involved.
Peer comment(s):

agree Shera Lyn Parpia : innocent and unpretentious sound best to me
1 hr
Thanks, Shera! I think that's probably right; it's something along those lines.
agree CBHarris : Fresh, light, brisk, crisp, it´s hard to say without knowing anything about the scent.
1 hr
Thanks, CB :) This suddenly reminds me of winetasting: very impressionistic.
agree Jenni Lukac (X) : I agree with CB: "an open bouquet" (but here, not in the mouth).
2 hrs
Thanks, Jenni! Yes, light and crisp (not to mention sparkling) does sound like a nice chilled glass of something white!
agree Tina Vonhof (X) : I take it to mean the opposite of 'mysterious' or 'seducing' or 'sensual'.
10 hrs
Yes, I think that's a good way of putting it. Thanks, Tina!
agree Phong Le
4 days
Many thanks, Phong Le!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you very much!"
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