Middle English Dictionary Entry
tinctūre n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tinctūre n. Also tinctur, tinctour, tingture. |
| Etymology | L tinctūra |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A dyeing agent, pigment; also, a medicinal ointment or salve, perh. one that discolors the skin; (b) a color, hue, tint; (c) the process of coloring; also, the use of a medicinal tincture.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)180/6 : Þow schalt die hise heeris, if þei ben white, wiþ tincture.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)114a/a : If þe cure auaile not, be þe place tincted with þis tincture [Ch.(2): oynement].
b
- a1500(1471) *Ripley CAlch.(Ashm 1486)202 : Ye lyone grene..is mene ye sonne & ye mone betwene, off joynyng tynctour with perfyȝtnes.
- a1500(?1471) *Ripley Epis.Edw.IV (Ashm 759)104b : At the dyars craft ye may lerne this science, Beholdyng with water howe they decoccions make Vppon her wood and mader..To the tynctours appere which then the cloth doith take, Theryn so fixed that they will neuer forsake The cloth for wesshyng after they ioyned be.
- a1500 *Of spayn (Ashm 759)125a : Of spayn take thou thy clere lighte The redde gomme..Of hym drawe out a tyncture [vr. tyngture] And make a matrimony pure.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)132a/a : In case in which þe forseid þingez helpeþ not, is counseiled decoracioun..& tincture.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2813 : Tyncture with anelynge of Glaciers Will not perse hym as thei reherse.
2.
Alch. The transmutation of base metals into gold; also, the elixir presumed to effect such a transmutation [3rd quot.]; also, the ability to transform base metals into gold [last quot.].
Associated quotations
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)182 : Mastrie ful mervelous..Is the tyncture of holye Alchymye, A wonderful science.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1607 : The erthly litarge of oure stone, with-owte him generacion shal be noon, Nother of oure tincturs fixacion.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1649 : Oure tincture most be moste pure & fair.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2535 : Oon vpon a Ml. his tyncture trewly is Of clene washen metall.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. tincture.