Middle English Dictionary Entry
dē̆fensī̆f n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dē̆fensī̆f n. Also defensive. |
| Etymology | OF & ML; also cp. dēfens(e. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Med. & surg. A medicine or ointment that prevents the growth or spread of disease, venom, humors, etc. [cp. ~ medecine]; (b) an ointment that preserves corpses.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)91/19 : Þou maist pale it, & do it awey þe stinche with hony waischinge..& with defensiuis [Add: defensifes] aboute þe place.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)122/15 : Leie aboute þe wounde..a defensif [L defensiuum] of bole armonyak.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)130/13 : Anoynte aboute þe wounde wiþ a defensif [Add: deffensyfe] of bole armoniak.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.3057 : Firste þei token hede Þat þe venym ferþer nat procede, Round in compas clensid it a-boute..And defensives made on euery syde.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)91b/a : In ych case be þer put al aboute infrigidatyuez & defensyuez [L prohibentia] & sedatyuez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)119b/b : I forsoþ, in sich mortificacioun of a membre, þe goyng of corrupcioun with-sette with scarificacionz & arsenec & puttyng defensyuez [*Ch.(2): diffensyues] aboue þe hole partiez with bole armeniac & oþer couenable þinges.
- ?a1450 Lanfranc (Add 12056)82/27 : Þis diffensiff defendiþ a membre fro corupcioun, & also Vlcus, þat he sprede noȝt abrode.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.5745 : Out off which [Mirra]..Distillith a gomme, a gret preseruatiff, And off nature a ful good defensiff, To keepe bodies from putrefaccioun.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. defensive.