Middle English Dictionary Entry
citrīne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | citrīne n. |
| Etymology | Prob. ML adj. *Citrīna, from L citrus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) ?Citron; (b) ?the African citrus tree; ?celandine; ~ collirium, ~ ointment, ~ poudre.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)29b/a : Barke of citrynes [F citron; L citri].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)118a/b : With þe Iuse of citrines [F citron; L citri].
b
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)65/9 : If þe pacient..be delicate, þan tak of citrine oi[n]tment parte 1, vitriol combust. partes ij, alom ȝucarine..medled to-gidre..
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)41b/a : The citryne collirium i. oynement for þe eyȝen..The citrine syef of Alisaundres descripcioun. Take of amydoun..of syef memythe i. of wylde celidoyne [etc.].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)41b/b : Þe citrine powdre..is made þus: Take of norschid sarcocol..syef of wylde celidoyne..licium..aloen..[etc.].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)186b/b : Curcuma is þe rote of citrines [L citri], & happely it is celidoyne, hote & drye & helyng.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Y wandryng (Lin-O Lat.129)15 : And Cecely with citornys and cypresse come yn.
Note: New form: Also..citorn.
Note: ?Quot. belongs to sense (a).
Note: Quot. (and form citorn, given as "late Middle English") found in OED under citron n. and adj. OED gloss: "A large oval citrus fruit having rough yellow skin and a thick scented rind used in pickles and preserves, and yielding little juice. In early use also: the lemon (lemon n.(1), sense 1.(a). and perhaps the lime (lime n.(2), sense (a))."--per MLL
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)33a/7 : The makyng of powedr' citryne: take cercacolle..Aloes..grynde þese to gidder and vse hem.
Note: Quot. postdates word.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense (b)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. citrine ointment.