Middle English Dictionary Entry
caustik adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | caustik adj. & n. |
| Etymology | L, from Gr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of medicines: having the property of burning organic tissue by chemical action; strongly corrosive, caustic; (b) a caustic medicine.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)91/11 : A cauterie of fier eiþer a medicyn caustik.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)93/19 : A cankre..schal not be touchid wiþ hoot iren ne with hoot medicyn caustik, þat is to seie brennynge.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)164a/b : Actuale cauteriez bene made wiþ instrumentez..wiþ medicynez caustics.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)175a/b : Medicyne caustic, scarotic, & ruptiue is þat þat bristeþ & brynneþ þe skyn & þe flesh.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)164a/b : Caustics, i. corrosyuez, bene more comonly put in carnous placez, for þai drawe more fro profounde þan actualez.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)183b/a : Medecynes..colliquatifes..Of þe whiche..þe strongest ben cleped caustikes and brekyng medecynes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. caustic.