Middle English Dictionary Entry
saffrǒun adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | saffrǒun adj. |
| Etymology | From saf(f)rǒun n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Having a color like that produced by saffron, yellow or orange-yellow; (b) resembling saffron in taste, pungent.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)220b/b : Croco magma is y-cleped þe super fluyte of spicery, of þe whiche saffron oignement is y-made.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)308b/b : Bytwene saffron colour [L Color croceus], punyceus, and cytrine is litel dyuersite.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)309a/a : Saffrin colour dyeþ and coloureþ humours and liquours more þan cytryne.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)173a/b : 6a. fourme is vnguentum croceum, i. saffroun vnguent [Ch.(2): þe ȝelowe plastre; L emplastrum croceum], of Maistre Petre de Bonanto.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)106b : Safferon..croceus.
- a1500 O fresch floure (RwlPoet 36)27 : Your leud lokyng doble of entent wyth courtly loke al of saferon hew.
b
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget(3) (Gar 145)39/5 : Þer-for I wyll enter in-to þe hethen, in whos mowth I am now bytter & saffren, & I shall be in her mowth swetter than hony.