Middle English Dictionary Entry
liver-wort n.
Entry Info
| Forms | liver-wort n. |
| Etymology | OE lifer-wyrt. For forms cp. liver(e n. (1) & wort n.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The common liverwort Marchantia polymorpha; ?also, some similar plant. [Anemone hepatica seems to be excluded by the descriptions in Lelamour & Agnus Castus.]
Associated quotations
- ?a1300 Wor.F.157.Gloss.(Wor F.157)184 : Epatica: liuerwrt.
- a1325 Erf.Gloss.(Erf Amplon Q.351)160 : Conpere: liuerewort.
- a1400 Alphita (SeldArch B.35)57/23 : Epatica uel empatica crescit in saxis ut in pulmonia, et uidetur quasi frustula membrane inherentia; foliis utimur: gallice, eupatik; anglice, a liureuurt.
- a1400 Mirfeld Sinonoma (Pmb-O 2)19 : Epatica, an. liverwort, herba frigida est.
- c1465(?1373) *Lelamour Macer (Sln 5)42a : Epatica. Levirwort ys an erbe that [g]rowith apon moiste wallis, and he cleuyth faste to þe stone; This erbe hath no stalke and no flour, and he will distroye and clense the hardnes of onys lyuer.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)159a/b : Þer ben oþere repercussiues..as arrage..verueine, liuer wurte, peny wurte.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)195a/a : Epatica, liferwort, h. & d. in þe firste gree.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)50b/a : When þer is vnkyndely hete in þe lyuer, putte þerto endyue..marygolde & lyuerwort [*Ch.(1): epatica].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)152a/a : Þer is also anoþer manere of curynge of ruptures..he schal take..with wyne of þe sethynge epatica, i. lyuerwort, terrestris.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)309 : Lyvyr worte, herbe: Epatica.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)24/2 : Take þe rute of fenkell..violet, liuerwort, maydenhare.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)154/12 : Esparica is an herbe þat men clepyn leuere-wourt; þis herbe growith in bankys of water and in wellis of ston..þis herbe haȝt non stalkys ne flour but smale, round lewys.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)204/2 : Make a syryp off borage..lyuerwort, and sawndyris.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(1) (Med-L 136)152/460 : Take the greene thistill, keue, and endyve and lyverwort and the roote of yonge fenell..seth heme wele togedir in stale secund ale, and gyf hym to drynk vij sponefull at evyn.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)134/1 : Take wyrmode petimorell..endyue, lywerwort, þe medylbark of þe elerne-tre.
- c1475 Sln.4 Recipes in Rel.Ant.1 (Sln 4)324 : Recipe..an hanfulle and a half lyverwort mayden here.
- a1500(?a1450) Treat.Garden.(Trin-C O.9.38)168 : Yn the moneth of Auerell Set & sow ham euerydell..Verueyn, wodesour, waterlyly, & lyuerworte.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)10/21 : Alia pro stomaco. Take þe route of fynel..and þe leuys of serlange and lyuerwort and weybrede.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1300 Add.15236 Recipes(1) (Add 15236)288.31 : Contra calefactionem epatis: Recipe fenyl-rote, persil-rote…musere, liverwrt, centorie…simul terantur et coquantur.
Note: Additional quote(s)
- c1300 Add.15236 Recipes(1) (Add 15236)239.48 : Pro mola matricis et suffocatione matricis et precipitatione matricis et menstruum provocandum: Recipe mentastrum i. horsmyntis, mentam rubeam…Item violet, epatik i. livyrwort, absincium…Terantur minutatim et coquantur.
Note: Need date