Middle English Dictionary Entry
garant n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | garant n.(2) Also geraud, genardus, gerastie, geraticon, -icen. |
| Etymology | Cp. L geranītis & ML geraticen & OF gerachite, garatite; ult. Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A black gem with magical powers.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)201a/b : Geraticon [L Geraticen] is a blak stoon & passeþ þe colour in vertue, for if a man wassheþ clene his owne mouþe and bereþ þe stone þer Inne, he may anon tellen what oþer man þinken of him.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)143/30 : In the halle is a vyne made of fyn gold..& it hath many clustres of grapes..the grene ben of Emeraudes..And the blake ben of Onichez & Garantez [Eg: geraudes; F geracites].
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)1002 : Geraticen, whyche ys a nobyll stoone, Blak in colour, but vertuous in myght, And maketh men belouyd where they gone.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.91 : Gerastie is a stone of blacis color, & it is of gret price. Yf it be wasshe, put into a mannes mowþe vpone his tonge, þat yf a-noþer man þynke eny þyng of him he schall know his þouȝt anoone..And some men callen þis stone genardus.