Middle English Dictionary Entry
stibium n.
Entry Info
| Forms | stibium n. Also stibin. |
| Etymology | L stibium; also cp. L stibinus adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Powdered antimony or stibnite, used as a cosmetic.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)204b/a : Þough lede be wan oþer broun, ȝit ofte it gendreþ semeliche colour and fayre, as tewly reed and stibium, þer wiþ wommen peynteþ hemself.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)311a/a : Stibium is a feyned colour y-made of Cerusa and of oþer þinges medled; þer wiþ wymmen peynted here face.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)34.99 (v.1:p.248) : My face and myn eyen .. I haue ful often here aforn depoynted with purpurisse and ceruse and such an oynement as is clepid 'stibium,' with which maner thyngis many wommen vsen to assaien to gete more beaute by crafte than God and nature han youen hem.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)148/35 : Vse precyus vnguentys, as stybyn in somir, rose in wyntir.