Middle English Dictionary Entry
torciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | torciǒun n. Also torcion, torcoun & (error) tercoun; pl. torciouns, etc. & (?errors) torcins, trocions. |
| Etymology | OF torcïon & L tortio, ML torcio, -iōnis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A painful twisting of the intestines; pl. stomach cramps, gripes, colic; (b) a twisting of bones and joints; (c) pl. torment.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 Chauliac(1) (NY 12:Wallner)3.145/9 : Of þis forsoþ renne þai in-to þat pernicious accident of aking & torcions [vr. trocions] of intestinez of which þay may be spasmed and bi consequens dye.
- ?a1425 Chauliac(1) (NY 12:Wallner)3.149/2 : Som men..for to do away sich insufferable perforatyuez torcions [Ch.(2): torciouns] boileþ wyne wiþ salte..And þai put it in a sacke þat comprehendeþ alle þe aking partiez.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)186a/a : For torcions of þe wombe is preisedde wulle þat groweþ atwixe þe schepes legges infused oþer wette in wyne of þe decoccioun of comyne.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)78/32 : Clisteriez..availeþ..to euery inflacion of þe wombe, and to ventosite of it, and torcions, i. gryndyng.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)168b/a : Tercoun [read: Torcoun], or dwellynge akiþ [?read: akþe] intollerabile in þe guttis & in þe wombe..falliþ ofte tyme after greete large wounds of þe wombe..it schal be cured in þis maner: Boyle wine & salt togidere..& putte it in a sacke..and leye it aboue..þe wounde as hoot as he may wel suffre it..& do þus til þat þe pacient finde hete vndir þe bindynge of þe wounde & while þat þe akþe & þe torcoun be aswagid.
b
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)179b/b : Þu schalt knowe þat mollificatiue medicines of synewes and of sinewie places Wher þat meuynge is endured..after brekinge of bones, dislocaciouns, torciouns, and plicaciouns of bones and aftir akkeþ of ioyntes.
c
- ?a1425 Chauliac(1) (NY 12:Wallner)5.15/25 : If þe bone..be yuel consolded & be fresh of 6 moneþes..be it broken agayne..And..If..it be old & þe pore endured, be it lefte..It had bene better forsoþ to þat wiseman..for to lif with his claudicacioun, i. haltung, þan for to die in sich torcions [vr. torcins; Ch.(2): turmentynges; L tortoribus].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. torsion.