Middle English Dictionary Entry
sparā̆ǧe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sparā̆ǧe n. Also sparge, sperage, sperge. |
| Etymology | OF esparge, esperge, (late 15th cent.) sperage, sparage, AFsparge. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. asperages n.pl., speragus n.
1.
(a) Asparagus Asparagus officinalis; sponge of ~, the root mat of asparagus shoots; (b) a plant of the genus Geranium or the columbine Aquilegia vulgaris [1st quot.]; ?also, = spurge n.(a) [2nd quot.]; also, the juice or a decoction of some plant, perh. herb robert Geranium robertianum.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)275/13 : Of erbis he schal ete fenel, ache, persil, sperge [L sparagum], attriplicem, spinochia, [etc.].
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)149/21 : Take of þe rote of brionie, of wylde gourde..of brusk, of sperage, i. englisshe galengale.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.558,560 : Sperages [L asparagorum] seed ek hold Is good to sowe hem [linseed] with, with hem to springe, ffor cannes & sperage haue oon tylynge.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.636 : Nygh this mones Idus ek is best Sponge of sperage [L spongias asparagorum] or new of sedis fourme.
- a1450 Diseases Women(2) (Sln 2463)70 : A worschipfull serip þat myȝtyly bringeth forth the corupt blode fro þe moder..Recipe: rotes of litell madir, knowholme, sparage rotes, [etc.].
- a1500 Dresd.Gloss.434 : Asparagus: sparage.
b
- ?a1300 Wor.F.157.Gloss.(Wor F.157)185 : Pes columbinus: sparge.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)30/22 : Be þer putte aboue siche ane Emplastre: Recipe þe Iuyse of smalache or merch, wormode, Molayne, walworte, Sparge, [etc.].
- c1450 Med.Bk.(2) (Add 33996)139 : Ȝef þe wounde be deepe in þe flesshe, drinke osmunde and comfery, & ȝef þe veyne be y kut, drinke sparge.