Middle English Dictionary Entry
orī̆tes n.
Entry Info
| Forms | orī̆tes n. Also orides & orite. |
| Etymology | L orītis & OF orite. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A precious stone of some kind.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)203a/b : Orytes is a precious stoon, blak & rounde, and anoþer maner of kynde þer of is grene wiþ spekkes.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)1320 : The fyrst ston, orytes namyd ys.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)1049 : The Oryte eke..saueth fro bestys wylde, And suffreth nat wemen to be wyth chylde.
- a1500 Bod.EMisc.Lapid.(BodEMisc e.558)34/325 : The Orides is sumwhat blak, but she drawith to the colour of goulde..she is moche worth agayne venom & agayn hurtyng of wilde bestis.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.115 : Orides is a stone of color, & he is gode aȝens venym & aȝens byȝtyng of wode bestes.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.116 : Orites is a stone, & þer-of ben iij maners; þat one is blak, þat oþer is lyke hony or waxe, þe iij is gren with blak spekkes.