Middle English Dictionary Entry
obsiānus n.
Entry Info
| Forms | obsiānus n. Also obxianus. |
| Etymology | ML; cp. CL obsiāna. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Obsidian.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)207b/a : Þe stoon osianus [L obsianus] is y-rekened among kynde of glas, and þis stoon is som tyme grene and som tyme blak and is clere and bright and is y-cleped specularis.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.109 : Obxianus is a stone þat if a man ber him þer schall neuer sweuenes to him harme ne no man schall spek him harme, so þat þe ston shyne vpone him. Also ber it vpone þe and þow schalt neuer have yuel deþe.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.114 : Þe stone Osianus is rekened amonge þe kend of glas, & þis ston is somtyme grene & somtyme glas, & it is cler & bryȝt, & it is cleped Speclaris & is with fatti liȝt. Of þis stone many men maken precios stones, & to contrefet.