Middle English Dictionary Entry
lādanum n.
Entry Info
| Forms | lādanum n. Also labdanum, lapdanum, laudanum. |
| Etymology | L, from Gr. Not to be confused with the laudanum of the 16th cent. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A resin obtained from a plant of the genus Cistus; ?also, an exudation from the beards of goats or from goat's beard (Tragopogon pratensis) or some other plant.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)80b/b : Ȝif þe rennynge is cold & moist, beste remedie is þe contrarye, hote & drye, wiþholdinge & wastinge þe humour, as ladanum.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)188/21 : Caste þerto canel & ladanum grounden & resolued in wijn.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)334/26 : Of medicyns resolutiuis, summe ben simple, as..De gummis..lapdanum [L laudanum].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)178a/b : Lapdanum is succus of berde of gotez biȝonde þe see inspissed, cal. & hu. in primo, mollitif.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)162a/b : And alle sotil gummes: lapdanum, ysopus humida, terbentine, wexe.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)196a/a : Laudanum is a dew þat falliþ doun on certeyn herbis in a cost of grece & siþþe is dryed aȝen þe sunne, h. & moiste in j gree.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)63/22 : Of þe party of medicyne be þer giffen..mastike, ladanum.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)127a/a : Þat is medlede of labdanum and of birche.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)185a/b : If þere were putte..of moyste ysope and of lapdanum, it were þe bettre.