Middle English Dictionary Entry
mortagōn n.
Entry Info
| Forms | mortagōn n. Also (error) montagone. |
| Etymology | ML martagon, from Turkish. Also cp. F (16th cent.) martagon. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The martagon or turk's-cap lily (Lilium martagon); ?also, the common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) [quot.: ?c1450 (Add)].
Associated quotations
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)344 : Mortagone [Win: Mortagon], herbe: Herba Martis.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)162/19 : Herba Martina is an herbe men clepe mortagon; þis herbe haȝt lewys lyk to a capital lettre M and in fowre braunches of þis herbe are ix lewys of þe toþere, summe more and summe lesse; and it bryngyȝth lef and seed bothe to-gedere.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Add 17866)172/331 : Portulaca and Montagone, Off this two herbys name is one.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)316/367 : Mortulaca and mortagon, Of swiche an erbe name is on..Of fyngerlengthe or sum del more Þe lewys arn stiffe and scharp before, Also thicke and fayr and grene..with veyne clene; Þe veynys ben as whyth as mylke.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1056 : Of herbis, gummys, of rotis, and of grasse, Many kyndes bi hym assaid was, As crowfote, salandyne, & mezereon, Verbayn, lunarye, and mortagon.