Middle English Dictionary Entry
onicle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | onicle n. Also onicul, onichul, unicle & onicles. |
| Etymology | OF onicle & ML onychulus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Onyx; an onyx.
Associated quotations
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)288 : Hi beoþ þer funden..iacinctes and topaces, And onicle of muchel grace.
- a1350 Ichot a burde in a (Hrl 2253)5 : Ichot a burde in a bour ase beryl so bryht..ase onycle he ys on yholden on hyht.
- c1330(?c1300) St.Patr.Purg.(1) (Auch)p.107 : Tre no stel nas þer on non, bot rede gold and precious ston..onicles and causteloines, and diamaunce.
- a1450 Dc.291 Lapid.(Dc 291)p.27 : The best onycle is blak & ploncket. Any onicle maketh a man bolde, hardy, & courageful, & maketh hym to haue plente of spotel.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5269 : Þe bild was all of brent gold..Piȝt full of..proude stanes, Of Onycles & orfrays.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)333 : The rooffe was..Araied with golde and precious stones..Rubies, topaces, and onicles riche.
- 1451-1500 Tundale (Wagner)2078 : Tho stones wer fulle bryght and clere..Onycull, tapas and other mo.
- a1500 BodAdd.A.106 Lapid.(BodAdd A.106)p.47 : Onycles makes a man to drem on nyghtes & spek with his lufe ded slepynge.
- a1500 Bod.EMisc.Lapid.(BodEMisc e.558)26/112 : The Vnycle comyth fro Ynde & fro Arabye. Vnycles & sardones & calsodonyyes ben contrarious togedyr.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.104 : Þis ston onichul haþe some yuel propirtes, & he may not schew hem yn dede in þe presens of þis stone sardus.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.116 : Ðe bible seyþe þat þe Onycle was in þe fowerþ corner of þe brest of arone.