Middle English Dictionary Entry
spinache n.
Entry Info
| Forms | spinache n. Also spinage, spinarche, spinarge, spinoche, speneche, (Latinate) spinochia & (error) spinogre. |
| Etymology | ML spinargium, AL spinarchia, spinachia & OF espinache, espinage, espinoche, AF spinache. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The herb Spinacea oleraceo, spinach; also, ?a plant of the genus Cichorium [quots. ?a1450 & a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes]; pl. spinach leaves; (b) as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1350 *Sln.5 Herb.Gloss.[OD col.] (Sln 5)fol.12/1 : Spinatea..Gallice, spinache; Anglice, Spinogre.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)275/13 : Of erbis: he schal ete fenel, ache, persil, sperge, attriplicem, spinochia [L spinargia].
- c1400 Form Cury (Hrl 1605)115.78/2 : [Add: Salat: Take persel, sawge..leek] spinoches [borage..and waische hem clene].
- a1425(a1399) Form Cury (Add 5016)140.188/1 : Spynoches yfryed: Take spynoches, perboile hem in seþyng water, Take hem vp and..Frye hem in oile clene.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)25a/b : Vse he lactuce, spinarge [Ch.(2): spinage], & borage; put he ynoȝ of water in his wyne.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)617/1 : Milder and spynarche ben wortes, temperatly colde and moyste, with maturynge and with softenynge.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)204/12 : Spnachia is an herbe men clepe spinache [vr. spynage]; þis herbe haȝt lewys lyke to þe dendelyon.
- a1500(?a1450) Treat.Garden.(Trin-C O.9.38)161 : Of other herbys..Yn the moneth of Auerell Set & sow..Herbys to make bothe sawce & sewe..Myntys, sauerey, tuncarse, & spynage.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)113/20, 114/2 : For the quincy: Take speneche and make powder þer-of..Speneche ys a herbe with a blw floure.
- a1500 Sln.Herb List (Sln 1201)75 : Herbes for Potage..Spynache.
- a1500 Travel Instruc.(CotApp 8)280 : Spinage, betis..and suche other laxatif erbes woldene be vsed..for the same cause.
b
- (1267) Pat.R.Hen.III164 : William Spinach.
- (1267) Pat.R.Hen.III165 : William Spinage.
- (1428) Feudal Aids 162 : Johannes Spynoche.