Middle English Dictionary Entry
adamas n.
Entry Info
| Forms | adamas n. Also adames. |
| Etymology | L; see adama(u)nt n.. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A kind of precious stone; diamond; (b) a loadstone.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)196b/b : This stoon is..oþer þan a magnas, ffor if adamas is ysette by yren, it suffreþ nouȝt þe yren come to þe magnas.
- a1500 Richardoune Stones (Add 34360)17 : Stones..of vertues commendable, As Alabanstre..Adamas.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)66 : Adamas vel asius is a ston þat is liȝt in bering & his colour is witȝt in him.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)121a/b : As þe stone adames [L adamas] meoviþ by strong schinynge iren.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)200a/b : Iren haþ acord wiþ þe stoon adamas [L adamante], and so þat stoon Adamas [L adamas] draweþ Iren to it self.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)44b/a : [Conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn] impressed forsoþ sich a fourme in þe aier & in oþer elementez þat, as þe adamas [L adamas; *Ch.(2): adamaunde] moueþ yren, Also it moued humourez grosse, aduste, & venenous.