Middle English Dictionary Entry
sọ̄ven n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sọ̄ven n. |
| Etymology | ?From OF souviegne-vous-de-moy forget-me-not (FEW 12.376b); cp. MnE dial. remember-me the germander speedwell. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A flower of the plant germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys); also, a representation of this flower in embroidery; ?also, a representation in embroidery of the forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris) [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)168/5019 : The lynyng of hit was with nedille wrought So playn, so thikke, so smothe, so pratily With litille litille flowris soft, The soven and the daisy, But most of pancy.
- 1532-1897(a1475) Ass.Ladies (Skeat)61 : With margarettes growing in ordinaunce, To shewe hemself..That to beholde it was a greet plesaunce, And how they were acompanyed with mo Nem'oublie-mies and sovenez also; The povre pensees were not disloged there.
- 1532-1897(a1475) Ass.Ladies (Skeat)86 : Her gown was wel embrouded, certainly, With sovenez after her own devyse.