Middle English Dictionary Entry
dīonīs(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dīonīs(e n. Also diones, dionisa, dionisius, diania. |
| Etymology | ML dionīsius, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A precious stone, of dark color streaked with red, reputed to prevent drunkenness.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)199a/a : Dionisius is a blak stoon or broune y spronge with reede veynes, and haþ þat name for it is y grounden and medled wiþ water it smelleþ as wyn and ȝit it wiþstondiþ dronkeschipe.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2731 : Coldnes of a stoon That is I-clepid dyonyse.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)982 : The Dionys whyche hateth dronkynnes.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)100 : Diones: dionisia.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)84 : Dionisa is a stone þat is blake as he schineþ as a riede stencelettes..with þe sauour of þis stone all dronkenes gooþe away.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)85 : Dianya is a ston, & is blak & haþe redyssh schynyng.