Middle English Dictionary Entry
pō̆ciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pō̆ciǒun n. Also poscioun, (error) porciouns. |
| Etymology | OF pocïon |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A medicinal drink, potion; a medicine; also, the administration or drinking of medicine; (b) a beverage, drink; ~ of venim, a poisonous drink; (c) a magic potion.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3504 : He..saued hym wiþ pociouns And made hym hole man and fere.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3629 : What may helpen þe stomak or þe hed, Letuarie, emplastre, or pocioun..Whan þat a cors is leied in erþe lowe?
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)0b/a : Cyrurgie..is a science of curyng sikenes, in þe which falleþ or is intended manuale operacioun with oute excluding of þe toþer tvo instrumentez of medicyne, videlicet, of pocioun [Ch.(2): drynkyng medecyne] & of diete.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)2b/b : Alle duchemen..with coniurisons & drynkes, i. pocions, & oile & wolle & colez lefes procureþ al wondes.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)95a/b : A newe cure..is done wiþ ane emplaister allonelie & wine & stoppes, wiþ outen drinke oþer pocioun.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)319/12 : Ulcers of þe wombe..be couered with gode gouernaunce and wiþ conuenient pocyon, i. drynk, and wiþ clensynge.
- a1450 Chauliac(4) (Cai 336/725)9/4 : Þe medicynal instrumentis ben dietis, pociouns, bloodles, oynementis, emplastris, & poudris.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)191 : If [read: Of] þis seed is made a noble pocion, þe whiche purgeþ by þe neþer parties of man all þe ynnere parties of mannes body.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.411 : He receyvede a pocion of Philippe his phisicion.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)57a/a : Jf we moun helen a man wiþ diete, ne hele we him not wiþ no maner pocioun.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)57a/a : Jf we moun þoruȝ pocioun remeue or putte awey syknesse, passe we neuere to surgerie.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)97a/a : Posciouns schulen be maad of peper, Canel, Castor..and oþere siche.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)244/10 : Bathes, Swetes, Pocions or drynchis of Spycirie, medicyns laxatifs sholde bene vsyd in this tyme.
- c1500 Phebus fonde (Hnt HU 1051)5 : Esculapius taght the doctryne To know the qualities of the iiij compliccions, Of electuaries, drages, & pociouns.
b
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)145/6 : Man is made..of sqwyche humorys þat alle-wey nedyth noryschyng and fedyng and pocyonis [Lambeth: drynke].
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)45/18 : It is not late syn men vseden to empoison..multitude of kynges and of other lordes have hasted the dayes of her deth thurgh pocions of venyme.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.133 : To ȝouthe he was restored new ageyn By crafte of Medee..For with hyr herbes and hir porciouns [read: pociouns]..Sche made a drynke.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.1993 : Hir dredful craft was shapen in swiche wise, So myȝti wern hir straunge pociouns, Her letuarye and confecciouns.
- a1456(?1428) Lydg.Compl.Lady Glo.(Trin-C R.3.20)68 : Fals medecynes þey wrought To tempre þeyre confeccyouns In metys and dyuers pocyouns, Þe prynce hert agaynst al lawe Frome his promesse his hande to drawe.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. potion.