Middle English Dictionary Entry
caumfre n.
Entry Info
| Forms | caumfre n. Also kaunfre, camfre, canfre, camfir, -or, -ur, camphor(e, -er, chamfor. |
| Etymology | OF camphre & ML camphora (from Ar.). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Camphor; (b) ~ flour, poudre of ~, powdered camphor; oil of ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (1313) *Wardrobe Acc.7 Edw.II [OD col.]20/16 : Caumfre 18 d.
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.4ra : Tak j ℥ & s. of þat with ʒ borace, & camfre, ceruse, & gumme arabic most qwit, of alle alyk, wel driue togidre with euerose.
- (1393) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.52164/23 : Johanni leche pro camfor et staunche per ipsum emptis apud Dansk, vij nobles.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)73b/a : If blode go noȝt oute, be it colliriȝed..wiþ a litel chamfore [*Ch.(2): campher; L camphora].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)186b/b : Camphor is a gumme colde & drye in þe þridde degree, with clensynge.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)11/31 : [In a collyrium] camfire.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)252/15 : Let hyr bynd camfur yn hur here and sche schall not conceyue.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)84/23 : A goode water for olde sores..half a dragme of kaunfre.
- a1500 Hrl.2378 Recipes (Hrl 2378)117/11 : Aqua aromatica sic fit..a litil quantite of caumfere.
b
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)237/15 : Plastris þat ben resoluynge..oile of camfre.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)197/15 : [Against nosebleed] take þe powdyr off camfur.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)212/14 : For þe chafyng of þe lyuer..medyl þe poudyr of camfre with þe iuce of pety morell.
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)251/15 : Put þer-to..qweke-syluer and camfyre-flowur.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense (b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. oil of camphor.