Middle English Dictionary Entry
alabastre n.
Entry Info
| Forms | alabastre n. Also al(e)bastre, alabaustre, al(a)blastre. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Any of various kinds of alabaster [used for carved images, altars, shrines, etc.].
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.26.7 : A womman hauynge a boxe of alabastre of preciouse oynement came niȝ to hym.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1910 : In touret on the wal, Of alabastre whit and reed coral An oratorie riche for to see.
- (?1392) Will York in Sur.Soc.4172 : Item lego ad unum tabernaculum ymaginis beatae Mariae de alabaustre.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)195a/b : Alabastre is a white stoone wiþ strakes of diuers colours; of suche stone þe oynement boxe þat þe gospel speikeþ of was ymade;..and þat stone þat bredeþ aboute thebe and Damascus is more white þan oþer, but þe beste comeþ oute of ynde..it is y seyde þat þis stone helpeth to wynne victorie and maystrye.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.504 : He made seke..swiche as had konyng in her hed, Alabastre, owþer white or redde..for to pulsche it pleyn, To make it smoþe of veynes & of greyn.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)39/20 : The fertre of Alabastre where the bones of seynt Kateryne lyȝn.
- (1454) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)352/3 : Item j ymage of þe Crusifix of Alabaster of pyse makynge.
- (1467) Will York in Sur.Soc.45160 : Ymaginem..de white alablastre.
- c1475 Court Sap.(Trin-C R.3.21)960 : The Alabaustre whyte yeueth victory.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)2a : Allabauster [Monson: Alablaster]: Alabaustrum.
- a1500 Peterb.Lapid.(Peterb 33)68 : Alabastre..Whoso drinkeþ him with eysel, he is good for all maner sores in þe fote or in þe knee.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450(1438) GLeg.AllSaints (GiL155) (Eg 876) 803/115 : These holy bodyes were selers of Goddis, temples of Ihesu Crist; thei were alabastre of spirituel oynement, wellis of lyff, membres of the the holy goste.
- c1450(1438) GLeg.AllSaints (GiL155) (Eg 876) 803/128 : Thei be alabastre of spirituel oynement, wherof it is saide: 'An oynement of swete sauour comithe of hymself, and this same yeuithe the reliques of seintes.'
Note: Editor: "alabastre: alebastre P2, alabastrum LgA, 'a box for unguents'...MED s.v. alabastre offers only the sense 'alabaster', a translucent form of gypsum, of which no doubt the boxes were generally made. MED also records alabastrum, with sense (b) 'an alabaster container for chrism or ointment', with only one citation."
Note: New sense.