Middle English Dictionary Entry
orobus n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | orobus n.(1) Also orobum, orabum, orobi, orebi. |
| Etymology | L |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Any of several leguminous plants belonging to the genus Vicia or the genus Lathyrus; esp. mouse peas (Lathyrus macrorrhizus; or L. pratensis); flour of ~, ?a flour made from the seeds, used in medicinal preparations.
Associated quotations
- [ a1400 Alphita (SeldArch B.35)131/8 : Orobus: gall. uesche, anglice thare uel mousepese. ]
- [ ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)47a : A ffische: orobus, vicia. ]
- [ a1500 Hrl.2378 Gloss.(Hrl 2378)231 : Orobus, i. wild fechis. ]
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)102a/b : Aȝeines suche bytyng of a wood man þis helpiþ specialliche: þe iuse of caprifolium..mente, orobum.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)88/20 : Þese medicyns ben sumwhat more driere: yrios, aristologie rotunda, orabum, þat is, wiilde tare.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)132/1 : I caste in þe wounde of þe heed a poudre..Take frank encense & ciperi..mirre, ana orobi [vr. oreby].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)178b/a : Orobus is a grayne ca. in primo, sic. in secundo and ouer with abstercioun.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)119a/a : Take stafisager, saundiuer, flour of orobus..make ane emplaster wiþ oile & vineger.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)190/6 : Orobus is an herbe þat men clepe mousope [read: mousepe], and þer-of are iiij specis of þat kende: on haȝt a ȝelwȝ flour, þe toþer haȝt a quyt flour, þe thrydde haȝt a reed flour, and þe ferthe haȝt a purpul flour.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)85a/a : Leie þis strictorie al aboute þe wounde..þe iuys of dragaunce..þe iuys of Rewe..encorpere hem wiþ þe flour of orobus and sprede it on a clooþ & leye it al abouen.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)156b/b : Þere schal be leid an Emplastre aboue of barly flour, rie flour, and flour of orobi decocte wiþ lie.