Middle English Dictionary Entry
pervink(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pervink(e n. Also perwink(e, pervenk(e, perving, parvink, parwinke, parvenke & (errors) peruyk, pernk; pl. parvences. |
| Etymology | OE pervince, from L; cp. OF pervenche, parvenche, pervenke. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The periwinkle (Vinca minor or Vinca major); ~ lef; (b) fig. a paragon; the most beautiful; (c) fig. an evil man.
Associated quotations
a
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)123 : Y-fetered were ys legges vnder his horse wombe..A gerland of peruenke set on ys heued.
- a1350 Ichot a burde in a (Hrl 2253)13 : Þe primerole he passeþ, þe peruenke of pris.
- c1330(?c1300) St.Patr.Purg.(1) (Auch)p.108 : Fair were her erbers wiþ floures, rose and lili diuers colours, primrol and paruink.
- a1400 Alphita (SeldArch B.35)144/2 : Peruinca uel prouinca: peruenke.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10:Davis)611 : A lyȝtly vrysoun..Enbrawden and bounden wyth þe best gemmez On brode sylkyn borde, and bryddez on semez, As papiayez paynted peruyng bitwene.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)903 : Ther lakkide no flour..Ne nought so mych as flour of brom, Ne violete, ne eke pervynke.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)60/28 : Giffe hym euery day in þe mornyng 3 or 4 of þam [pills] distempered with wyne of decoccion of millefoile..or rede netle or paruencis.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.126 : Thou hast..Crownid oon with laureer hih on his hed vpset, Other with peruynke maad for the gibet.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)395 : Pervenke, herbe: Pervenca.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4541 : He has a hatt on his hede hiȝtild o floures, Of palme & of peruyk [read: peruynk] & othire proud blossoms.
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)117 : Ley vnder þe tonge a peruynk leef, & he shal staunche wyþ goddes grace.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)299/163 : A man þat..at his nose blede Take hym peruenk.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)317/395 : Parwynke is an erbe grene of colour, In tyme of may he beryth blo flour.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)91b/a : If a man y-woundid halt pervinke bitwene hise teeþ..he schal neiþir blede at the mouþ ne at þe nose.
- a1500 Agnus Castus (LdMisc 553)197/33 : Peruencia is an herbe þat me cleputh peruynk.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)1432 : There sprang the vyolet al newe, And fressh pervynke, riche of hewe.
b
- ?c1335 Sith Gabriell gan (Hrl 913)p.162 : Þos kniȝtis euchone Of him mai make mone As peruink of ham alle.
- a1350 Ichot a burde in boure (Hrl 2253)52 : Heo is lilie of largesse; heo is paruenke of prouesse.
- a1500 Degrev.(Cmb Ff.1.6)746 : Corteys lady and wyse, As þou arte peruenke [vr. proudeste] of pryse, I do me on þi gentryse.
c
- a1500 Det peruynkkle (MdstCKS U182.Z1)p.257 : Maye perwynk..hys face; Pernk' schel have wel heuyle endyng, An al hys rotes to rasse.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- ?c1125(?OE) Dur-C.Gloss.(Dur-C Hunter 100) : [V]inca: Peruince.
- a1300 Sln.146 Gloss.(Sln 146) : Vinea: gall, vynne, angl. parvenke.
Note: Antedates sense (a).