Middle English Dictionary Entry
asa-fetida n.
Entry Info
| Forms | asa-fetida n. Also aza-. |
| Etymology | ML; azā 'mastic' from Pers. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Asafetida (a gum-resin).
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)313a/a : Some stynkynge þinges beþ y doon in medicyne as..asa fetida..Þey draweþ togidres roted humours..and putteþ hem oute of þe body by liknesse of stynche.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)43/14 : Azafetida is best medicyn if þou make of him enplastre.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)186a/b : Asafetida is a gumme hote & drye in þe þridde degree, and ouer it is clensyng & drawyng.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)27/19 : Asafetida..makes hardnesse of pappes & softnes.
- c1475 Sln.4 Recipes in NQ ser.3.6 (Sln 4)4b : Take ij peny worth of Asafetyday.
- a1500 in Singer Cat.Alchem.2.340 : Asafetida is..the gumme of a tre: the more it stinkithe the beter it is.