Middle English Dictionary Entry
pirīte n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pirīte n. Also perides. |
| Etymology | OF pirite & L pyrītes, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Firestone, a stone supposed to burn the hand if held too tightly; ~ ston.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)204a/a : Perides [L Pirites] is a rede bright stoon yliche to þe qualite of þe ayer; moche fuyre is þerInne and ofte sparkeles comeþ out þer of, and þis ston brenneþ his hond þat holdeþ him right fast; þerfore he haþ þat name of pir, þat is, fyre.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)1053 : The Pirrite stone, anone the whyche brennyth vs Wythyn owre hand, yef we hym presse aryght.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)p.116 : Pirite is a stone, þat whoso draweþ him he will not abyd with him..& he most hold it softly in his honde; & yf a man streyn him hard he wol bren his hond.