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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


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A 


VERBA  NOMINALIA; 


OR, 


WORDS  DERIVED  FROM  PROPER  NAMES. 


BY 

RICHARD   STEPHEN   CHARNOCK,   Ph.Dr., 

F.S.A.,    F.R.G.S.,    F.R.S.S.A.,    F.R.S.N.A., 

FELLOW    OF    THE    ANTHROPOLOGICAL    SOCIETY    OF    LONDON  ; 

FOIiEIGN    ASSOCIATE    OF    THE    ANTHROPOLOGICAL    SOCIETY    OF    PARIS  ; 

CORRESPONDING     MEMBER    OF    THE    NEW    ENGLAND 

HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL    SOCIETY. 


'Nomina  si  nescis,  perit  cognitio  rerum." 

Coke  on  Littleton. 


LONDON : 
TRtJBNER  &  CO.,  60,  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 


MDCOCLXVI. 


)     J  *  ' 


printed  by 

chakles  jones,  west  harding  street 

(late  sumfield  and  jones) 


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PREFACE. 


It  must,  without  any  research,  have  been  apparent  to 
most  people  that  many  well-known  words  have  had  their 
origin  in  Proper  Names ;  but  whoever  has  made  even  a 
slight  study  of  the  various  branches  of  etymology  will 
^  have  discovered  that  the  number  of  words  so  derived  is 
^  ,  very  large  indeed.  The  ordinary  reader  of  history  may 
know  that  "  to  roam  "  is  to  wander  about  on  the  pretence 
of  a  pilgrimage  to  Rome  ;  that  the  word  calico  is  derived 
from  Calicut ;  humbug  from  Hamburg  ;  or  that  bayonets 
^  are  supposed  to  have  first  seen  the  light  at  Bayonne.  He 
will  doubtless  be  further  interested  in  finding  dimity  re- 
ferred to  Damietta,  marigold  to  the  Virgin,  mayduke  to 
Medoc,  fuchsia  to  Dr.  Fuchs,  coffee  to  Kafa,  quince  to 
Cydonia.  This  latter  class  of  names,  however,  not  being 
usually  met  with  in  the  narrative  of  great  and  exciting 
^  events,  required  an  independent  chronicler,  and  I  deter- 
mined to  volunteer  my  services  to  investigate  and  register 
them.  The  chief  difficulty  lay  in  deciding  where  to  stop. 
Should  the  work  be  confined  to  the  most  common  words 
found  in  a  dictionary  of  the  English  language  ?  or  should 
it  embrace  also  those  used  in  the  Arts  and  Sciences? 
On  the  whole,  I  was  inclined  to  think  that  these  also 


/^:3i8 


IV  PEEFACE. 

should  be  included,  since  terms  teclmical  in  their  origin 
frequently  force  themselves  into  general  use,  after 
which  there  is,  through  lapse  of  time,  a  difficulty  in 
framing  for  them  an  accurate  genealogy.  To  remedy  the 
errors,  omissions,  and  defects  unavoidable  in  the  first  issue 
of  such  a  work,  I  beg  the  corrections,  additions,  and 
suggestions  of  etymologists,  with  a  view  to  a  more  com- 
plete edition.  In  carrying  out  my  design,  I  have  availed 
myself  of  all  information  within  reach,  and  have,  I 
believe,  generally  acknowledged  my  authorities.  To  the 
Rev.  S.  F.  Creswell,  M.A.,  of  Lancaster  School,  Fellow 
of  the  Royal  Astronomical  and  Geographical  Societies,  I 
am  indebted  for  some  useful  information  and  many  hints 
and  corrections.  My  learned  friend  also,  at  my  request, 
suggested  the  title,  "  Verba  Nominalia,"  and  he  is  quite 
willing  to  father  it.  Some  additions  and  corrections  Avill 
be  found  at  the  end  of  the  work. 

R.  S.  CHARNOCK. 


Gray's  Inn, 

1st  October,  1865. 


VERBA    xNOMINALIA, 


ABDERIAN.  Foolish  or  incessant  laughter  is  so  named, 
from  Abdera,  in  Thrace,  the  birthplace  of  Democritus,  who  was 
much  given  to  laughter,  and  Avho  was  styled  the  Abderite. 
See  Whitaker ;  Webster. 

ACADEMY  (L.  academia,  Gr.  a>ca(5£ju,<a).  A  school,  or  semi- 
nary of  learning,  holding  rank  between  a  university  or  a 
college  and  a  common  school ;  also,  a  school  for  teaching  a  par- 
ticular art,  or  particular  sciences,  as  a  militaiy  academy ;  so 
named  from  the  Academe  or  school  of  Plato,  originally,  it  is 
said,  a  garden,  grove,  or  villa  near  Athens,  where  Plato  and 
his  followers  held  their  philosophic  conferences. 

ACONITE.  The  herb  wolfsbane  or  monkshood,  a  poisonous 
plant  ;  so  named  from  Acone,  a  place  in  Pontus  famous  for 
poisonous  herbs. 

ADAMIC.  A  term  given  to  common  red  clay,  from  the 
mistaken  opinion  that  Adam  signifies  "  red  earth." — Webster. 

ADANSONIA.  The  Ethiopian  sour  gourd,  or  African  cala- 
bash-tree, a  native  of  Africa,  and  one  of  the  largest  of  the 
vegetable  kingdom;  named  from  M.  Adanson,  who  has  given  a 
description  of  it. 

ADONIA.  In  ancient  history,  festivals  held  in  honour  of 
Adonis,  principally  celebrated  by  females  among  the  Egyp- 
tians and  the  Greeks,  who  spent  two  days  in  lamentations  and 
infamous  pleasures. 

ADONIC.  A  name  given  to  a  verse  consisting  of  a  dactyl  and 
spondee,  in  which  was  bewailed  the  death  of  Adonis,  son  of 
Cinyras  and  favourite  of  Venus.     Among  the  Anglo-Saxons 

B 


2  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

the  Adonic  verse  was  a  poetic  verse  consisting  of  one  long, 
two  short,  and  two  long  syllables. 

ADONIS.  In  botany,  the  generic  term  of  bird's-eye,  called 
also  pheasant's-eye,  and  so  named  because  its  flowers  resemble 
those    of   the    anemone,    into  which    flower    Venus    changed 

Adonis. A  term  applied  to  a  youthfully  handsome  man,  more 

graceful  than  vigorous.     George  IV.  was  contemptuously  called 
"  a  fat  Adonis  "  (S.  F.  Creswell.) 

ADULARIA.  A  mineral,  a  variety  of  orthoclase  found  in 
granitic  rocks,  occurring  in  great  perfection  in  the  high 
districts  of  Savoy.  The  name  is  derived  from  Adula,  one  of 
the  highest  peaks  of  St.  Gothard.  The  Valencianite  Breit- 
haupt  is  a  variety  of  adularia,  and  was  named  from  the  Mexi- 
can mine  Valencia. 

^NEID  (L.  JEne'is).  A  heroic  poem,  written  by  Virgil,  in 
which  ^neas  is  the  hero. 

^OLIAN.  Pertaining  to  ^olus,  god  of  the  winds;  as  ka- 
lian harp. 

^OLIST.  A  devotee  of  -^olus;  a  pretender  to  inspira- 
tion. 

JEOLIPILE.  A  hollow  ball  of  metal,  with  a  pipe  or  slender 
neck  having  a  very  small  orifice,  used  in  hydraulic  experi- 
ments ;  named  from  jEoIus,  and  pila  a  ball.  Bailey  renders 
aolopyk,  an  ancient  device  to  prevent  smoking  chimneys, 
from  AfoXou  -jtuXcci,  the  gates  of  -3<^olus. 

JiiSCHYNITE.  A  black  or  dark  brownish  yellow  ore  from 
the  Ural  Mountains  ;  an  ore  containing  titanium,  zirconium,  and 
cerium  (Dana)  ;  probably  named  after  vEschines,  the  Greek 
orator,  though  for  no  better  reason  than  that  other  celebrities 
have  been  commemorated  in  the  naming  of  metals,  &c. 

AFFENTHALER.  A  celebrated  red  wine  made  from 
grapes,  and  growing  in  the  Affenthal,  near  the  Rhine. 

AGARIC  (Gr.  aya^iKOv,  L.  agaricus).  In  botany,  the  generic 
term  for  the  mushroom  tribe  of  the  fungi  which  grow  in 
decaying  animal  or  vegetable  matter,  and  said  to  be  from 
Agaria,  in  Sarmatia,  (See  Dioscorides.)  In  pharmacy  the  term  is 
applied  to  two  species  of  fungi  belonging  to  the  Linna^an 
genus  Boletus,  the  one  used  as  a  cathartic,  the  other  as  a  styptic, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  3 

and  also  for  tinder  and  dyeing.  The  agaric  mineral  is  one  of 
the  purest  of  the  native  carbonates  of  lime  ;  it  is  found  in  clefts 
of  rocks,  and  is  named  from  its  resemblance  to  the  agaric  in 
texture  and  colour.  It  has  been  considered  as  a  variety  of 
meerschaum.  The  Germans  call  it  hergmehl,  mountain  meal ; 
the  Italians,  latte  di  luna,  moon-milk. 

AGATE  (L.  achates,  gagates,  Gr.  yayarijtr).  An  ornamental 
stone  used  in  jewellery,  and  for  some  purposes  in  the  arts  ; 
sometimes  called  Scotch  pebble.  Bochart  deduces  the  word 
from  the  Punic  and  Hebrew  ^T]))  akad,  with  a  different  prefix 
Heb.  y\i  nalcad,  spotted.  Others  derive  the  word  from  the 
Greek  a%ar^,v,  a  stone  described  by  Theophrastus,  and  which, 
according  to  him,  was  brought  from  the  river  Achates,  in 
Sicily  ;  now  the  Drillo,  in  the  Val  di  Noto.  Pliny  (33,  10) 
tells  us  achates  (agates)  were  once  in  great  demand  ;  that 
they  were  found  first  in  Sicily,  near  a  river  of  the  same  name, 
but  afterwards  in  many  places ;  and  he  says  there  are  many 
varieties,  as  Phass-achates,  Sard-achates,  Hem-achates,  Leuc- 
achates,  Dendr-achates,  Ant-achates,  and  Carallo-achates.  (See 
also  Solinus  and  Isidore.)  There  was  also  a  river  of  Lycia 
called  Tayrjs,  and  Tayyrjs  is  the  Greek  name  for  the  river 
Ganges. 

AHRBLEICHART.  A  strong  red  highly-prized  wine  made 
from  Burgundy  grapes,  growing  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Ahrweiler,  in  the  Ahr  Valley,  in  Rhenish  Prussia.  The  last 
part  of  the  name  is  probably  derived  from  hleich-roth-art,  pale- 
red-like. 

ALALITE.  A  crystallized  mineral  first  found  by  Bonvoisin 
in  the  black  rock  at  Musa,  near  the  village  of  Ala,  in  Piedmont, 
whence  its  name.     See  Cleveland. 

ALCAICS.  Several  kinds  of  verse,  so  called  from  their  in- 
ventor AlcjBus,  a  lyric  poet  of  Mitylene,  in  Lesbos,  who 
flourished  about  the  44th  Olympiad.  One  kind  consists  of  five 
feet,  a  spondee  or  iambic,  an  iambic,  a  long  syllable,  and  two 
dactyls. — Encyc. 

ALCANTARA.  A  Spanish  military  order,  so  named  from 
Alcantara,  in  Spain. 

B  2 


4  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

ALCHORNEA.  A  genus  of  plants  named  after  Mr.  Stainsby 
Alchorne,  apothecary,  of  London. 

ALDINE.  A  term  applied  to  those  editions,  chiefly  of  the 
Classics,  which  proceeded  from  the  press  of  Aldus  Manutius 
of  Venice,  for  the  most  part  in  the  sixteenth  century.  The 
term  has  also  been  lately  applied  to  certain  elegant  editions  of 
English  works. 

ALDROVANDA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  which  there  is  but 
one  species,  found  in  marshes  in  Italy  and  India  ;  named  by 
Monti  after  Ulisse  Aldrovandi,  prefect  of  the  botanic  garden 
at  Bologna,  a  great  traveller,  naturalist,  and  collector,  styled 
the  modern  Pliny,  who  was  born  in  1552,  and  died  at  Bologna 
in  1605. 

ALEXANDERS.  An  umbelliferous  plant  of  the  genus  Smyr- 
nium,  found  upon  rocks  on  the  sea-shore,  and  blossoming  in 
May  and  June.  According  to  Pliny  it  was  so  called  because 
in  Italy  and  Germany  it  had  been  denominated  herha  Alexan- 
drina,  having  been  supposed  to  be  brought  from  Alexandria. 

ALEXANDRINE  or  ALEXANDRIAN.  A  kind  of  verse 
consisting  of  twelve  syllables,  or  of  twelve  and  thirteen  alter- 
nately ;  so  called  from  having  been  used  in  a  French  poem  on 
the  life  of  Alexander.  This  species  of  verse  is  peculiar  to 
modei'n  poetry,  but  well  adapted  to  epic  poems,  and  is  less 
current  in  English  than  among  the  French,  whose  tragedies 
are  generally  composed  of  Alexandrine.     See  Webster. 

ALGAROT  or  ALGAROTH.  The  name  of  an  emetic 
powder,  a  compound  of  the  sesqui-oxide  and  sesqui-chloride  of 
antimony,  obtained  by  pouring  water  into  a  solution  of 
the  sesqui-chloride  of  that  metal  ;  named  from  Algarotti,  a 
physician,  who  first  applied  it  as  an  internal  medicine.  He 
was  born  at  Padua  in  1712,  and  died  at  Pisa  1764. 

ALICANTE.     A  sweet  wine  made  at  Alicante,  in  Spain. 

ALLANITE.  An  ore  of  the  metals  cerium  and  lanthanium 
having  a  pitch-black  or  brownish  colour  ;  first  discovered  as  a 
species  by  Mr.  Allan,  of  Edinburgh. — Dana. 

ALLEMANDE.  (Fr.)  A  slow  air  in  common  time;  or  grave 
solemn  music   with  a  slow  movement.     Also,   a  brisk  dance. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  5 

or  a  figure  in  dancing  (^Dictionary  of  Music).  Originally  from 
Allemagne,  i.  e.  Germany. 

ALMAGrRERITE.  A  mineral,  an  anhydrous  sulphate  of 
zinc,  occurring  at  the  mine  at  Barranco  Jaroso,  in  the  Sierra 
Almagrera,  in  Spain. 

ALPHONSIN.  A  surgical  instrument  for  extracting  bullets 
from  wounds  ;  so  called  from  its  inventor,  Alphonsus  Ferrier,  of 
Naples.     It  consists  of  three  branches  which  close  by  a  ring, 

and  open  when  it  is  drawn  back   (Enci/c.) A  name  applied 

to  certain  astronomical  tables  which  were  published  in  1252 
under  the  patronage  of  Alphonso  X.,  King  of  Castile  and 
Leon  (P.  Ci/c.') 

ALTAITE.  A  mineral  occurring  with  telluric  silver  at 
Savodinsky,  near  Barnaoul,  in  the  Altai  Mountains,  which 
form  a  boundary  between  the  Russian  and  Chinese  dominions. 

AMADOT.  The  name  of  a  French  pear ;  a  corruption  of 
Damoudet,  the  name  by  which  it  is  known  in  Burgundy  ;  and 
so  called  from  Dame  Oudet,  who  first  cultivated  it,  and  who 
lived  at  Demigny,  between  Beaune  and  Chalons.  See  Menage; 
also  J.  Ferrand,  Traite  des  Espaliers. 

AMBROSIN.  In  the  Middle  Ages,  a  coin  struck  by  the 
Dukes  of  Milan,  on  Avhich  St.  Ambrose  was  represented  on 
horseback,  with  a  whip  in  his  right  hand. 

AMMONIA.  An  alkali  (often  called  volatile  alkali)  composed 
of  three  equivalents  of  hydrogen  and  one  of  nitrogen.  Some 
derive  the  word  from  Gr.  a/x^oe,  sand,  because  originally  found 
in  sandy  ground.  According  to  others  it  was  named  after 
Jupiter  Amnion,  near  whose  temple  in  Egypt  it  was  generated, 
or  from  Ammonia,  a  Cyrenaic  territory. 

AMMONITE.  The  serpent-stone  ov  cornu  Ammonis,  a,  io^^il 
shell  curved  into  a  spiral  form  like  a  ram's  horn,  of  various  sizes, 
found  in  strata  of  limestone  and  clay,  and  in  argillaceous  iron 
ore  ;  named  from  Jupiter  Ammon,  who  was  represented  in 
statues  as  having  ram's  horns. 

AMONTILLADO.  A  wine,  so  named  from  its  resembling,  m 
a  peculiar  bitter-almond  dry  flavour,  the  wines  of  Montilla, 
near  Cordova,  which  are  so  much  sought  after.  It  is  dear, 
and  used  in  enriching  poorer  and  sweet  wines. 


6  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

AMPHITRITE,  A  genus  of  marine  animals  of  the  order 
Mollusca,  very  common  about  the  southern  coasts  of  Devon- 
shire ;  named  from  Amphitrite,  wife  of  Neptune  and  goddess 
of  the  sea. 

ANACREONTIC.  A  poem  composed  in  the  manner  of 
Anacreon,  a  Greek  poet,  whose  odes  and  epigrams  are  cele- 
brated for  their  delicate,  easy,  and  graceful  air,  and  for  their 
exact  imitation  of  nature.  The  Anacreontic  verse  consists  of 
three  feet  and  a  half;  the  first  foot  is  either  a  spondee  or 
iambus,  or  an  anapest ;  the  rest  are  usually  spondees  or 
iambuses. 

ANDALUSITE.  A  mineral,  of  a  greyish  or  a  pale  reddish 
tint,  sometimes  in  rhombic  prisms ;  composed  chiefly  of  silica 
and  alumina ;  from  Andalusia,  in  Spain,  where  it  was  first 
discovered. 

ANDERSONIA.  A  genus  of  shrubs,  natives  of  Australia; 
cl.  Pentandria,  or.  Monogynia ;  named  after  Dr.  O.  Anderson. 

ANDESINE.  A  mineral  occuring  in  the  Andes,  at  Marmato, 
in  the  rock  called  andesite,  a  whitish  syenite;  also  in  the 
syenite  of  Alsace,  in  the  Vosges. 

ANDREOLITE  or  ANDREASBERGOLITE.  A  mineral; 
the  harmotome  or  cross-stone;  from  Andreasberg,  a  town  of 
Hanover,  in  the  mining  district  of  Klausthal. 

ANDROMEDA.  A  constellation  containing  from  twenty- 
three  to  twenty-seven  stars  ;  called  by  the  Arabians  Marali 
Miisalseleth,  or  the  Woman  Chained.  Hence  probably  its 
Greek  name  of  Andromeda,  who,  according  to  Greek  poets, 
was  chained  to  a  rock  by  the  Nereids  and  released  by  Perseus. 

A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or,  Ericacece,  shrubs  and  natives 

of  Lapland,  North  America,  and  Russia. 

ANGLE  SITE.  Native  sulphate  of  lead,  occurring  at  Parry's 
Mine,  in  Anglesea,  whence  its  name.  It  is  also  found  in  Corn- 
wall, Cumberland,  Derbyshire,  the  Hartz,  the  Black  Forest, 
and  in  Prussia,  Sardinia,  Andalusia,  and  Siberia. 

ANGOLA.  The  same  as  mohair;  the  wool  of  the  Angola  or 
Angora  goat.  Some  derive  the  name  from  Agnolia.  It  is 
rather  from  Angora  or  Enguri  (Ancyra),  in  Asia  Minor,  140 
miles  north  of  Konieh.     At  Angora  stuffs  and  yarn  are  manu- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  7 

facturcd  from  the  fiuo  wool  of  this  goat,  of  which  wool  500,000 
okes  (11,200  cwt,)  are  estimated  to  be  annually  exported. 

ANGOLA.  The  name  of  a  pea  called  pigeon-pea,  a  species 
of  cytisus,  from  Angola,  a  kingdom  of  Congo,  in  Africa. 

ANNABERGITE.  A  mineral  occurring  on  white  nickel, 
and  supposed  to  result  from  the  decomposition  of  this  ore,  named 
from  Annaberg,  in  Saxony,  where  it  occurs.  It  is  also  found 
at  Allemont  in  Dauphiny,  at  Kamsdorf  near  Saalfeld,  at 
Riechelsdorf,  and  at  other  mines  of  mineral  ores. 

ANTIGORITE.  A  mineral,  consisting  of  silica,  magnesia, 
protoxide  of  iron,  alumina,  and  water,  from  the  Antigorio 
Valley,  to  the  north  of  Domo  d'Ossola,  in  Piedmont. 

APPLE.  The  fruit  of  the  apple-tree,  by  some  supposed  to 
have  been  originally  from  Avella  or  Abella,  in  Italy. 

ARDASSINESor  ARDASSINE.  A  very  fine  sort  of  Per- 
sian silk,  said  to  take  its  name  from  the  district  of  Ardeshir,  in 
Persia.  It  is  little  inferior  in  fineness  to  the  sourbastis  or 
rather  cherbasses,  although  it  is  not  much  used  in  the  silk 
manufactures  of  Lyons  and  Tours,  because  it  will  not  bear 
hot  water  in  the  winding.  The  vulgar  French  name  was  for- 
merly ablaque,  and  it  is  called  in  German  ardassines,  ardessines, 
ardassiner-seide,  logir,  and  perlen-seide. 

ARENDALITE,.  Another  name  of  epidote  or  pistacite  ; 
epidote  being  the  name  given  to  it  by  Haiiy,  and  pistacite  by 
Werner.  The  word  is  probably  derived  from  Arendal,  in  Nor- 
way, in  the  district  of  Nedernaes. 

ARFWEDSONITE.  A  ferruginous  variety  of  hornblende, 
named  after  Arfwedson. 

ARGAND.  A  name  given  to  an  improved  lamp,  invented  by 
Argand,  in  1780,  in  which,  by  means  of  a  hollow  wick,  and  a 
glass  chimney,  a  strong  and  clear  light  is  produced  by  placing 
the  flame  between  two  currents  of  air. — Brande. 

ARGYLLIA.  A  genus  of  plants  bearing  beautiful  flowers, 
natives  of  South  America ;  named  in  honour  of  the  Duke  of 
Argyle. 

ARGUS.  A  porcelain  shell  beautifully  variegated  with  spots 
resembling  those  in  a  peacock's  tail.  The  mythic  Argus  had 
a  hundred   eyes,    some  of  Avhicli  were  open  while  the  others 


8  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

were  closed.  Juno,  in  recompense  of  his  fidelity  in  guarding  lo, 
fixed  his  eyes  to  the  wings  and  tail  of  the  peacock,  and  trans- 
formed him  into  that  bird. The  name  of  a  species  of  cimex 

found  in  Surinam,  and  of  several  birds,  fishes,  and  insects. 

ARIANISM.  The  doctrines  or  creed  of  Arius,  a  presbyter 
of  the  Church  of  Alexandria  in  the  fourth  century. 

ARICINA.  A  vegetable  alkaloid  obtained  from  the  bark  of  a 
species  of  cinchona,  and  first  brought  from  Arica,  in  Peru. 

ARISTARCH.  A  severe  critic  (Knotoles)  ;  from  Aristarchus, 
a  critic  distinguished  for  severity  among  the  ancients. 

ARISTARCHIAN.     Severely  critical,  like  Aristarchus. 

ARISTOTELIA.    A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Philadelpha 
cece  ;  named  after  Aristotle. 

ARISTOTELIANISM.  The  philosophy  or  doctrines  of 
Aristotle,  a  disciple  of  Plato,  and  founder  of  the  Peripatetic 
school  of  philosophers. 

ARKANSITE.  A  mineral  ;  a  variety  of  brookite,  from 
Magnet  Cove,  Hot  Springs  County,  Arkansas. 

ARMENIACA  (Gr.  apu.Bvia.y.ov).  The  apricot;  so  called  from 
having  been  brought  originally  from  Armenia.  It  is  now  a 
genus  of  plants,  uat.  or.  Amygdalece. —  Crahh. 

ARMINIANISM.  The  doctrines  or  tenets  of  Arminius,  of 
Holland,  who  flourished  at  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  and  the 
beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

ARMSTRONG.  A  celebrated  rifled  cannon  named  after  its 
inventor,  Mr.  William  (now  Sir  William)  Armstrong. 

ARRACAN.  Rice  from  Aracan  or  Arracan,  a  British  pro- 
vince of  Further  India,  in  the  presidency  of  Bengal. 

ARRAGONITE.  Carbonate  of  lime  crystallised  in  rhombic 
prisms,  differing  from  common  carbonate  of  lime,  or  calcareous 
spar,  in  its  crystallization  ;  so  named  from  Arragon,  in  Spain, 
where  it  was  first  observed. 

ARRAS.  Tapestry  ;  hangings  wove  with  figures  ;  named 
from  Arras,  capital  of  Artois,  in  the  French  Netherlands, 
where  it  was  manufactured. 

ARTEDIA,  A  genus  of  umbelliferous  plants,  named  in 
honour  of  P.  Artedia,  the  associate  of  LinnjEus. 

ARTEMISIA  {aprsjMia-ix,    Tlippoc.  et  Diosc.)      The  Greek 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  9 

name  for  a  plant  called  in  English  mother  herb  ;  from  Artemis, 
the  Greek  name  of  Diana,  who  presided  over  women  in  childbed. 
The  name  is  now  applied  to  a  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Compo- 
sitce,  the  species  of  which  are  known  by  the  names  of  mug- 
wort,  southernwood,  and  wormwood. In   antiquity,  certain 

festivals  celebrated  yearly  in  honour  of  Artemis  or  Diana,  in 
various  parts  of  Greece,  particularly  at  Delphi,  where  a  mul- 
let was  sacrificed  to  the  goddess. 

A  SI  ARCH.  A  term  applied  to  the  chiefs  or  pontiffs  of  Pro- 
consular Asia,  who  had  the  superintendence  of  the  public 
games. — Acts  xix. 

ASSASSIN.     One  who  kills,  or  attempts  to  kill  by  surprise 
or  secret  assault ;  one  who  takes  any  advantage  in  killing  or 
attempting   to   murder,    as  by  attacking  one  when  unarmed, 
Voltaire  says,    "  In  the    time  of  the   Crusades   there    was   a 
wretched  little  people  of  mountaineers  inhabiting  the  caverns 
near  the  road  to  Damascus.     These  brigands  elected  a  chief 
whom  they  named  Cheik-Ehissisin  (called  by  the   Crusaders 
the    '  Old  Man  of    the    Hill '),    who    was    imagined  to   be   a 
great  prince  because  he  had  caused  a  Count  Montserrat  and 
some  other  crusading   nobles  to  be  robbed  and  murdered  on 
the  highway.     These  people  were  called  Ehississin,  whence  the 
word  assassin  "     Thierry  (Hist,  Norm.  Conq.,  vol.  2),  speaking 
of  Philip  of  France,  a.d.    1192,  says,  "He  immediately  as- 
sembled his  barons,  and  showed  them  letters  just  arrived,  he 
said,  from  beyond  the  seas,  and  which  warned  him  to  be  on  his 
guard,  for  that  the  King  of  England  had  from  the  East  sent  to 
kill  him.     Such  was  the  name,  then  quite  new  in  European 
languages,  by  which    were   designated   certain    Mahometans, 
fanatics  in  religion  and  patriotism,  who  thought  to  gain  Para- 
dise by  devoting  themselves  to  kill  by  surprise  the  enemies  of 
their  faith.     It  was  generally  believed  that  there  existed  in  the 
defiles  of  Mount  Libanus  a  whole  tribe  of  these  enthusiasts, 
subject  to  a  chief  called  the   '  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain,'  and 
that  the  vassals  of  this  mysterious  personage  joyfully  ran  to 
meet   death   at  the  first  signal  from  their   chief.     It  will  be 
readily  understood  that  the  name  of  these  men,  who  poniarded 
people  without  the  slightest  warning  of  their  attack,  stabbed 


10  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

generals  of  armies  in  the  very  midst  of  their  soldiers,  and  who, 
so  they  had  struck  their  victim,  themselves  died  laughing, 
necessarily  inspired  the  Western  Crusaders  and  pilgrims  with 
great  alarm.  They  brought  back  so  vivid  a  memory  of  the 
terror  they  had  felt  at  the  mere  word  assassin,  that  this  word 
soon  passed  into  every  mouth,  and  the  most  absurd  tales  of 
assassination  readily  found  in  Europe  people  disposed  to  credit 
them."  The  name  haschischi,  by  which  the  chief  was  desig- 
nated in  Arabic,  is  said  to  be  derived  from  hashish,  an  intoxi- 
cating plant  of  which  these  people  made  frequent  use  to  stupify 
themselves  :  but  qu.  the  second  form  of  the  Arabic  hassa, 
which  signifies  "  to  kill."  For  further  information  see  De 
Sacy,  Chrest.  Arabe  ;  and  Notes  and  Queries,  2nd  S.,  No.  57. 

ASTRACAN.  The  name  of  a  scarlet  shawl,  and  of  a  black 
jacket  worn  by  women,  and  first  brought  from  Astracan  or 
Astrakhan. 

ATAC  AMITE.  A  native  chloride  of  copper,  originally  found 
in  the  form  of  sand  in  the  Desert  of  Atacama,  between  Chili 
and  Peru. — Dana. 

ATELLAN.  A  dramatic  representation,  satirical  or  licen- 
tious, after  the  manner  of  the  dramas  at  Atella,  in  ancient 
Italy. 

ATHAMANTA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  the  nat.  or.  Umbelli- 
ferce,  so  called  from  Mount  Athamas,  in  Sicily,  where  the 
species  were  first  found. 

ATHANASIAN;  denoting  a  formulary,  confession,  or  ex- 
position of  faith,  formerly  supposed  to  have  been  drawn  up  by 
Athanasius,  Bishop  of  Alexandria,  in  the  fourth  century;  but 
this  opinion  is  now  rejected,  and  the  composition  is  by  some 
ascribed  to  Hilary,  Bishop  of  Aries.  It  is  a  summary  of  what 
was  called  the  orthodox  faith. 

ATHEN^UM.  In  the  United  States,  a  building  or  apart- 
ment where  a  library,  periodicals,  and  newspapers  are  kept  for 
public  i^erusal,  so  named  from  the  Athenaeum  (Gr.  ASryva/ov)  of 
ancient  Athens,  a  public  school  or  place  where  poets,  philoso- 
phers, and  rhetoricians  met  for  the  purpose  of  arguing,  reciting, 
and  declaiming. 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  11 

ATLANTES,  ATLANTIDES,  or  ATLAS  (called  also 
Zelamones  and  Persians).  In  architecture,  a  name  given  by  the 
Greeks  to  the  figures  or  statues  of  men  used  to  support  en- 
tablatures with  mutules,  instead  of  pilasters  or  columns;  from 
Atlas,  who  is  fabled  to  have  borne  the  heavens  on  his  shoulders, 
near  the  Hesperides. 

ATLAS.  A  collection  of  maps  in  a  volume,  supposed  to  be 
so  called  from  a  picture  of  Atlas  supporting  the  heavens,  pre- 
fixed to  some  collections.  A  term  now  also  applied  to  works 
in  which  subjects  are  exhibited  in  a  tabular  form  or  arrange- 
ment, as  a  historical  or  ethnographical  atlas ;  a  large  square 
folio,  resembling   a   volume  of  maps,   called    also  atlas  folio. 

The  first  vertebrae  of  the  neck,  articulating  immediately 

with  the  occipital  bone,  and  thus  supporting  the  globe  of  the 
head,  as  Atlas  was  said  to  support  the  world. 

ATTIC.  A  story  in  the  upper  part  of  a  house,  with  small 
windows  in  or  above  the  cornice;  a  part  of  a  building  standing 
on  the  cornice,  similar  in  form  to  that  of  a  pedestal,  and 
either  broken  or  continued.  The  name  is  said  to  be  derived 
from  the  Attic  order  of  architecture,  an  order  of  small  square 
pillars  at  the  uppermost  extremity  of  a  building,  which  was 
intended  to  conceal  the  roof  and  give  greater  dignity  to  the 
design,  and  which  had  its  origin  at  Athens.  The  Romans 
employed  attics  in  their  edifices,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  remains 
of  their  triumphal  arches,  and  in  the  Forum  of  Nerva.  In  the 
ruins  of  Athens  no  attics  are  to  be  found.  There  is  one  over 
a  Corinthian  colonnade  at  Thessalonica,  with  breaks  forming 
dwarf  pilasters  over  the  columns,  and  with  statues  placed  in 
front  of  the  pilasters,  as  in  the  arch  of  Constantino.  "  The 
word  attic  is  also  now  applied  to  a  kind  of  building  in  which 
no  roof  or  covering  is  to  be  seen,  as  was  usual  in  the  houses  of 
the  Athenians." — Crahb. 

ATTICISM.  The  peculiar  style  and  idiom  of  the  Greek 
language  used  by  the  Athenians  ;  refined  and   elegant  Greek  ; 

concise  and  elegant  expression. A  particular  attachment  to 

the  Athenians  ;  applied  especially  to  the  act  of  siding  with  the 
Athenians  during  the  Peloponnesian  War. 


12  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

AUDEANISM.  Anthropomorphism,  or  the  doctrine  of 
Audeus,  a  Syrian  of  the  fourth  century,  who  maintained  that 
God  has  a  human  shape  ;  from  Gen.  i.  26. — Encyc. 

AUGUST  D'OR.  A  gold  coin  of  Saxony,  double,  single, 
and  half,  reckoned  at  10,  5,  and  2^  rix-dollars  ;  the  august 
of  1754  being  equal  to  16s.  2d.,  that  of  1784  to  \Qs.  3fc?.; 
named  after  August,  Elector  of  Saxony,  who  succeeded  his 
brother  Maurice  in  1553  ;  or  August  Frederick,  the  name  of 
two  subsequent  electors. 

AUGUSTINE.  The  name  of  a  French  pear,  doubtless  so 
called  after  St.  Augustine  ;  whence,  perhaps,  the  pear  named 
St.  Austin. 

AUTUNITE.  A  mineral  found  in  crystals,  massive,  and  in- 
vesting other  minerals,  in  granite  at  St.  Symphorien,  near 
Autun,  and  at  St.  Yrieux,  not  far  from  Limoges,  in  France. 

AUVERNAT.     A  wine  from  Auvergne,  in  France. 

AVELLANA,  or  Nux  Pontica ;  filbert.  A  sort  of  nut,  so 
called  from  Avellanum,  a  town  of  Campania,  where  they 
abounded. 

AVELLANE.  In  heraldry,  a  cross,  the  quarters  of  which 
resemble  a  filbert  nut.     See  Avellana. 

AVERNAT.  A  sort  of  grape  {Johnson)  ;  Yiroperlj  Auvernat, 
from  Auvergne,  in  France. 

AVERRHOA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Oxalidacece, 
called  after  Averrhoes,  a  physician  of  Cordova,  in  Spain. 

AVERROIST.  One  of  a  sect  of  Peripatetic  philosophers 
who  appeared  in  Italy  before  the  restoration  of  learning  ;  so 
denominated  from  Averroes,  a  celebrated  Arabian  author. 

AVICENNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Myojioracece, 
called  after  Avicenna,  a  Persian  philosopher  and  physician. 

AZORITE.  A  mineral,  according  to  A.  A.  Hayes  con- 
sisting of  niobite  of  lime  ;  from  the  Azores. 


VERBA    NOMINAI.IA.  13 


B. 


BABEL.  Confusion,  disorder  {Beaumont);  from  the  confu- 
sion at  the  Tower  of  Babel ;  a  name  which  has  been  ridicu- 
lously derived  from  the  Hebrew  l^lbn  bilbll,  confusion,  from 
balal,  to  mix  or  confuse  ;  but  which  is  more  reasonably  from 
(J-u^  bdb-bel,  the  gate  or  court,  i.  e.  the  city,  of  Bel  or  Belus. 

BABYLONICS.  The  title  of  a  fragment  of  the  history  of 
the  world,  ending  267  years  before  Christ,  composed  by 
Berosus,  a  priest  of  Babylon. 

BACALHAO  (For.  bacalhdo,  Sp.  bacalldo).  The  fish  we 
call  poor  jack,  ling,  cod-fish,  salt  fish  ;  so  named  from  Bacalhoa, 
an  island  oflT  the  S.E.  coast  of  Newfoundland,  where  it  is 
found.  "  Llamose  Bacallao  por  el  pais  en  cuya  mar  se  pesca, 
que  tiene  este  nombre."    {Dice,  de  la  Acad.  Espan.) 

BACCHANAL,  BACCHANALIAN.  One  who  indulges 
in  drunken  revels  ;  a  drunkard  ;  one  who  is  noisy  and  riotous 
when  intoxicated  ;  from  Bacchus,  god  of  wine,  and  son  of 
Jupiter  and  Semele. 

BACCHANALIA,  BACCHANALS.  Festivals  at  Rome  in 
honour  of  Bacchus,  celebrated  in  spring  and  autumn  with 
games  and  shows,  which  for  their  licentiousness  were  sup- 
pressed by  a  solemn  decree  of  the  Senate. 

BACCH  AN ALIANS.  Those  who  performed  rites  in  honour 
of  Bacchus. 

BACCHARIS.  A  name  given  to  a  plant  by  the  Greeks  in 
honour  of  Bacchus  ;  a  genus  of  plants  now  commonly  called 
ploughman's  spikenard,  nat.  or.  Compositce. —  Crabb. 

BACCHIUS  {Bay-y^sios).  In  ancient  poetry,  a  foot  composed 
of  three  syllables,  the  first  short,  and  the  two  last  long,  as  in 
avari ;  so  called  because  it  was  used  in  hymns  to  Bacchus. 

BAECKIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Myrtacece;  so  named 
from  A.  Baeck,  physician  to  the  King  of  Sweden. — Crabb. 

BAGNOLS.  A  red  wine  of  a  rich  sweet  flavour,  from 
Bagnols,  dep.  Gard,  south  of  France. 

BAIKALITE.    A  greenish  variety  of  augite,  occurring  in 


14  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

grouped  or  radiated  circular  prisms  (^Danci)  ;  from  Lake  Baika, 
in  Siberia. 

BAIZE  or  BAYS.  A  coarse  woollen  stuff  having  a  long 
nap.  In  the  singular  it  is  hay,  and  is  by  some  rendered  "  frieze 
of  Baige  "  (It.  Baja),  an  ancient  city  of  Italy,  Naples  (now  in 
ruins). 

BALASSOR.  An  Indian  stuff  made  of  the  bark  of  a  tree  ; 
doubtless  so  named  from  Balasore,  a  maritime  district  of 
British  India,  in  the  presidency  of  Bengal,  having  a  town  of 
the  same  name. 

BALDACHIN.  In  architecture,  a  structure  in  the  form  of  a 
canopy,  supported  by  columns,  and  often  used  as  a  covering  to 
insulated  altars  ;  the  term  is  also  used  for  a  shell  over  a  door 
{Ency.  Johnson).  The  It.  has  baldachino,  the  Sp.  haldaquino,  a 
rich  silk  or  canopy  carried  over  the  host  ;  the  Fr.  baldaquin,  a 
canopy.  Lunier  deduces  the  French  word  from  the  name  of 
a  city  in  Babylonia. 

BALDERDASH.  Derived  from  the  name  of  the  Scandina- 
vian god  Baldur,  whence  also  the  village  of  Balderton,  in 
Notts. — aS'.  F.  Creswell. 

BAMLITE.  A  mineral  found  in  long  slender  prisms  and 
crystalline  masses,  with  quartz  in  gneiss,  at  Briikke,  near 
Brevig,  in  the  parish  of  Bamle,  in  Norway. 

BANIAN.  A  man's  undress  or  morning  gown,  as  worn  by 
the  Banians  in  the  East  Indies,  a  peculiar  caste  or  class  among 
the  Hindoos.  They  believe  in  a  metempsychosis,  and  will 
neither  eat  flesh  nor  kill  noxious  animals.  Hence  it  is  said 
"  Banian  days,"  in  seamen's  language,  are  those  days  in  the 
week  in  which  the  sailors  have  no  fresh  meat  served  out  to 
them. 

BANISTERIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  the  nat.  or.  Malpi- 
ghiacea;,  called  after  the  Rev.  J.  Banister,  a  botanist. — Crabb. 

BANKSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  consisting  of  bushes  or 
small  trees  found  in  Australia,  where  they  are  called  honey- 
suckle trees;  named  after  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  the  accomplished 
naturalist,  &c. 

BANTAM.  A  very  small  variety  of  fowl  with  feathered  legs, 
brought  from  Bantam,  a  residency  of  the   Dutch  East  Indies, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  15 

forming  the  western  extremity  of  the  island  of  Java. A 


kind  of   painted  or  carved  work  resembling   that   of  Japan, 
only  more  gaudy. 

BARALITE.  Black  slate  with  cavities  filled  with  a  l>lack 
powder  ;  a  silico-aluminate  of  iron  found  at  Baralon,  Cote  du 
Nord,  France. 

BARB.  A  horse  of  the  Barbary  breed,  much  esteemed  for 
its  swiftness. 

BARBARIAN.  A  man  in  his  rude  savage  state;  an  uncivi- 
lized person  ;  a  cruel,  savage,  brutal  man  ;  one  destitute  of 
pity  and  humanity.  The  Greeks  and  Romans  denoiniuated 
most  foreign  nations  barbarians ;  and  many  of  these  were  less 
civilized  than  themselves,  or  unacquainted  with  their  language, 
laws,  and  manners  ;  but  with  them  the  word  was  used  less 
reproachfully  than  with  us.  Some  derive  the  L.  word  harbarus, 
Gr.  ^ocpfSxpos,  Russ.  varvar,  from  Heb.  hardr  (Pip.  barhdr)  "to 
separate,"  "  one  who  is  separated,"  "  a  foreigner."  Passow 
says,  "  the  word  was  used  of  all  defects  which  the  Greeks 
thought  foreign  to  themselves  and  natural  to  other  nations;  but 
as  the  Hellenes  and  barbarians  were  most  of  all  separated  by  lan- 
guage, the  word  had  always  reference  to  this:  yXiuaffo,  (3apj3oipa 
(foreign  tongue).  The  word  is  most  probably  derived  from  the 
Berbers,  i.  e.  the  inhabitants  of  Berbery  or  Barbary,  in  the 
North  of  Africa  ;  from  lav-bar,  "  sons  of  the  west,"  which  the 
West  Arabs,  &c.,  call  themselves.  Cf.  Miiller,  Univ.  Hist.  b. 
xxxii.  s.  1. 

BAREGE.  A  light  plain  woollen  stuff  for  shawls,  ladies' 
dresses,  &c.,  so  named  from  being  manufactured  at  Barege,  at 
the  foot  of  the  Pyrenees,  famous  for  its  mineral  waters. 

BARNARDIA.  A  genus  of  Chinese  bulbous  plants,  so 
called  in  honour  of  E.  Barnard,  Esq.,  F.R.S. 

BARNHARDTITE.  A  mineral  composed  of  dopper  and 
iron,  from  a  mine  on  the  land  of  Dan  Barnhardt,  Cabarras 
County,  North  Carolina  ;  also  found  at  other  places  in  the 
same  county,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Charlotte,  in 
Mecklenburg  County. 

BARRERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  whose  species  are  shrubs, 
natives  of  Guinea  ;  called  after  Prof.  Barrere,  of  Perpignan. 


16  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

BARRINGTONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  MyrUicece, 
called  after  the  Hon.  Daines  Barrington. —  Crahb. 

BARTSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Scroplmlariacece, 
called  after  John  Bartsch,  a  physician. —  Crahh. 

BASSEIN.  Rice  from  Bassain  or  Bassein,  a  seaport  town 
of  Pegu,  taken  by  the  British,  in  May,  1852. 

BASSIA,  a  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  SapotacecB,  named 
after  Ferdinand  Bassi,  curator  of  the  Botanic  Garden  as 
Bologna. —  Crahh. 

BASSORINE.  A  constitutuent  part  of  a  species  of  gum 
from  Bassora,  in  Asiatic  Turkey,  as  also  of  gum  ti^agacanth 
and  some  guija  resins. —  Ure. 

BASTITE.  A  mineral  of  an  olive  and  pistaccio  green,  found 
in  the  euphotide  of  the  Baste  and  other  places  in  the  Harz, 
It  is  another  name  for  schiller  spar. 

BATIST  (Fr.  hatiste).  A  French  linen  cloth  of  a  very  fine 
thread  and  very  close  tissue,  used  for  pocket  handkerchiefs  and 
body  linen,  chiefly  made  in  deps.  Nord,  Pas  de  Calais,  and 
La  Somme ;  but  also  made  in  the  Netherlands,  in  Bohemia, 
Silesia,  and  Switzerland,  and,  those  most  esteemed,  in  India. 
It  had  its  name  from  Baptiste,  its  first  manufacturer.  - 

BAUHINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  or.  Monogynia; 
natives  of  India ;  named  in  honour  of  the  brothers  Gaspard 
and  John  Banhin,  celebrated  botanists. 

BAULITE.  A  mineral,  consisting  of  silica,  alumina,  lime, 
soda,  and  potash,  analysed  by  Genth.  The  name  was  first 
given  by  Forchammer  to  a  greyish-white  porous  metal  from 
the  Baula  Mountain,  in  Iceland,  having  nearly  the  same  com- 
position as  the  crystals  analysed  by  Genth. 

BAVARO Y.  Formerly  a  kind  of  cloak  or  surtout ;  pez'haps 
originally  written  havarois  ;  from  Bavaria. 

BAVAROISE.  (Fr.)  Tea  sweetened  with  syrup  of  capillaire; 
a  kind  of  milk  posset,  first  made  by  the  Bavarians. 

BAYONET  (Fr.  halonette,  Sp.  bayoneta,  It.  haionetta). 
A  short  pointed  instrument  of  iron,  or  broad  dagger,  formerly 
with  a  handle  fitted  to  the  bore  of  a  gun,  where  it  was  inserted 
for  use  after  the  soldier  had  fired ;  but  now  made  with  an  iron 
handle  and  ring  which  go  over  the  muzzle  of  the  piece,  so  that 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  17 

the  soldier  fires  with  his  bayonet  fixed.  {Encyc.)  Ford  says 
the  bayonet  is  said  to  have  been  first  used  by  some  Basques  at 
Bayonne,  in  the  war  of  1814,  who  stuck  their  knives  into  their 
muskets'  muzzles  ;  others  assert  that  the  bayonet  was  first  in- 
vented in  1671  ;  but  it  is  without  doubt  of  a  much  more 
ancient  origin.  The  word  does  not  appear  in  Palsgrave's 
Dictionary,  published  in  1530.  In  Cotgrave's  Dictionary,  first 
published  in  1611,  we  find  "  bayonnette,  a  kind  of  small  flat 
pocket  dagger,  furnished  with  knives  ;  or  a  great  knife  to  hang 
at  the  girdle  like  a  dagger  ;"  also  "  hayonnier,  an  arbalestier 
(an  old  word),"  which  is  rendered  "  a  crosse-bow-man,  that 
shoots  in  or  serves  with  a  crosse-bow ;  also  a  crosse-bow- 
maker."  Again,  Puysegur,  who  was  sent  to  Flanders  in  1642, 
in  his  memoirs  speaks  of  the  use  of  the  bayonet  at  Bergues, 
Ypres,  Dixmunde,  and  Laquenoc.  Miege  (Great  French  Diet., 
Lond.  1688)  renders  ^^bayonette  (Fr.)  a  dagger,  or  knife  dagger- 
like, such  as  the  dragoons  wear."  Phillips  (World  of  Words) 
gives  "  bayonette,  a  long  dagger  much  in  use  of  late,  and  carried 
by  the  grenadiers."  In  the  Diet.  Anglo-Britan.,  or  a  General 
Eng.  Diet.  (John  Kersey,  1715),  we  find  "  bayonette  (Fi\)  a 
broad  dagger  with  a  round  taper  handle,  to  stick  in  the  muzzle 
of  a  musket."  The  New  World  of  Words  (Edw.  Phillips, 
fo.  1720)  has  ^'bayonette,  a  broad  dagger  without  a  guard,  made 
with  a  round  taper  handle,  to  stick  in  the  muzzle  of  a  musket, 
so  that  it  may  serve  instead  of  a  pike  to  receive  the  charge  of 
a  horse."  Les  Travaux  de  Mars,  ou  I'Art  de  la  Guerre  (par 
Manusson  Mallet,  .Amst.  1685,  tom.  iii.  30)  gives  "  une 
bayonette,  ou  une  petite  lame  montee  dans  un  manche  de  bois  ; 
le  soldat  s'en  sert  dans  quelques  occasions  comme  une  demi- 
pique,  en  mettant  son  manche  dans  le  canon  de  sou  mousquet 
ou  son  fusil."  The  name  of  this  instrument  is  also  found 
written  bayonet,  and  we  find  also  baggonnetts  and  bajonetts  ; 
indeed,  as  late  as  1735  the  word  was  written  and  printed 
bagonet.  In  the  Glossary  appended  to  Memoirs  Historical  and 
Military  of  the  Marquis  Feuquiere  (trans,  from  the  French, 
Lond.  1735)  bagonet  is  rendered  "  a  short  broad  dagger  made 
with  iron  handles  and  rings  that  go  over  the  muzzle  of  the 
firelock,  and  are  screwed  fast,  so  that  the  soldier  fires  with  the 

c 


18  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

bagonet  on  the  muzzle  of  the  piece,  and  is  ready  to  act  against 
horse."      Roquefort    (Gloss,    de    la   Langue   Romaine,    1808) 
renders  baionier  "  arbalatrier,  a  crossbow-man."     The   general 
opinion  seems   to  be  that  the  bayonet  was  first  invented   at 
Bayonne,  in  France,  whence  it  had  its  name.     Mr.  I.  Y.  Aker- 
man   (Notes  on  Origin   and  Hist.  Bayonet,  Archeeol.  xxviii., 
428)  says,  "  I  have  sought  in  vain  for  the  origin  and  source  of 
the  tradition  that  the  bayonet  was  invented  at  Bayonne.     The 
story  runs  that  in  a  battle  which  took  place  in  a  small  hamlet  in 
the  environs  of  that  city,  in  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century, 
between  some  Basque  peasants  and  a  band  of  Spanish  smug- 
glers, the  former,  having  exhausted  their  ammunition,  defeated 
their   opponents  by    charging    them   with    their    long   knives 
fastened  in  the  muzzle  of  their  muskets.     Such  an  event  may 
have  occurred,  but  it  requires  authentication,  and  the  relation 
begets  a  suspicion  that  the  mere  similarity  of  name  has  laid  the 
foundation  of  the   supposed   connection  of  the   bayonet  with 
Bayonne.     True  or  false,  the  story  is  immortalized  in  the  verse 
of  Voltaire,  who,  in  the  eighth  book  of  the  "  Henriade,"  thus 
alludes  to  this  occasion  : — 

"  Cette  arme,  que  jadis,  pour  depeuplerla  terre, 
Dans  Bayonne  inventa  le  demon  de  la  guerre, 
Rassemble  en  meme  temps,  digne  fruit  de  I'enfer, 
Ce  qu'ont  de  plus  terrible  et  la  flamme  et  le  fer." 

Voltaire,  however,  was  not  the  inventor  of  the  figment,  if  it  is 
really  to  be  regarded  as  such,  for  we  find  bayonet  thus 
glossed  in  the  Dictionary  of  Menage,  published  in  1694  : — 
"  Bayonette,  sorte  de  poignard,  ainsi  appelee  de  la  ville  de 
Baionne."  On  the  whole  it  would  seem  most  probable  that  the 
word  bayonet  is  a  diminutive  formed  from  Bayonne  (in  Sp. 
Bayona).  It  does  not  follow,  however,  that  the  bayonet  was 
invented  at  Bayonne  in  France.  There  are  places  called  Bayon 
and    Bayona    in    Spain,    in    provinces    Oviedo,    Pontevedra, 

Toledo,  and  Madrid. In  machinery,  a  term  applied  to  pins 

which  play  in  and  out  of  holes  made  to  receive  them,  and 
which  thus  serve  to  engage  or  disengage  parts  of  the  machinery 
{Nichohon). 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  19 

BEAUGENCY.  A  fine  red  wine  made  from  grapes  growing 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Beaugency,  France,  dep.  Loiret. 

BEAUJOLAIS.  A  celebrated  wine  made  at  Beaujolais,  a 
district  of  France,  part  of  the  ancient  Lyonnais,  the  capital  of 
which  was  Beaujeau. 

BEAUNE.  A  fine  wine  made  from  grapes  grown  at  Beaune, 
a  town  of  France,  dep.  Cote-d'Or,  renowned  for  its  vineyards, 

BEAUVAIS.  A  beautiful  tapestry  made  at  Beauvais,  in 
France,  dep.  Oise. 

BECHAMEL.  A  fine  French  white  sauce  made  of  strong 
pale  veal  gravy,  and  now  very  much  served  at  good  English 
tables  ;  said  to  have  been  named  after  the  Marquis  de  Becha- 
mel, maitre  d'hotel  to  Louis  XIV.  Sauce  a  la  bechamel ;  De 
la  morue  a  la  bechamel ;  Une  bechamel  de  brochet ;  Bechamel 
maigre. 

BEDLAMITE.  An  inhabitant  of  a  madhouse;  a  madman  ; 
from  Bedlam,  a  hospital  for  lunatics  in  Lambeth,  Surrey, 
properly  Bethlehem,  and  anciently  a  religious  house.  Shak" 
speare  used  bedlam  figuratively  for  a  place  of  uproar. 

BEGONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  BegoniacecB,  called 
after  Michael  Begon. — Crabb. 

BELCHER.  A  kind  of  neckkerchief  of  a  blue  colour  with 
white  spots  (blue  birdseye).  In  pugilistic  encounters  it  is  the 
fashion  for  each  combatant  to  provide  himself  with  a  quantity 
of  kerchiefs,  which  may  be  used  either  as  hand  or  neckker- 
chiefs,  of  a  different  colour  and  pattern  fi'om  those  of  his  oppo- 
nent. These  kerchiefs  are  distributed  among  the  supporters 
of  each  party,  who  after  the  fight  pay  to  the  successful 
champion  a  sovereign  each  for  the  same.  The  Belcher 
neckkerchief  derives  its  name  from  the  celebrated  pugilist 
James  Belcher. 

BENEDICT.  A  married  man  ;  a  man  newly  married ; 
so  called  from  Benedict,  a  young  lord  of  Padua,  one  of  the 
dramatis  personcB  in  Much  Ado  about  Nothing,  who  says,  "  When 
I  said  I  would  die  a  bachelor,  I  did  not  think  that  I  should 
live  to  be  married." 

BENGAL.  A  thin  stuff  made  of  silk  and  hair,  for  women's 
apparel,  so  called  from  Bengal. — Bailey;  Johnson. 

c  2 


20  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

BERAUNITE.  A  mineral,  supposed  to  be  a  hydrous  phos- 
phate of  peroxide  of  iron,  found  in  limonite  near  Beraun,  in 
Bohemia. 

BERENGrELITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  carbon,  hydrogen, 
and  oxygen,  found  in  the  province  of  St.  Juan  de  Berengela, 
in  South  America. 

BERENICE.  In  chemistry,  another  name  for  amber, 
perhaps  from  its  power  of  attracting  hair  &c.  Berenice, 
in  astronomy,  is  a  name  given  to  seven  stars  in  the  tail  of  the 
constellation  Leo,  in  honour  of  Berenice,  wife  of  Ptolemy 
Evergetes,  who  offered  her  hair  in  sacrifice  to  the  gods  for  the 
pi'esei'vation  of  her  husband. 

B  ERE  SITE.  A  mineral,  a  fine-grained  granite  containing 
pyrites  ;  from  near  Beresof,  in  the  Ural. 

BERGtAMO.  a  coarse  tapestry  manufactured  with  flocks  of 
wool,  silk,  cotton,  hemp,  and  ox  or  goat's  haii',  said  to  have 
been  invented  at  Bergamo,  in  Italy. — Encyc. 

BERGAMOT  (Fr.  Bergamotte).  A  species  of  pear  (Bergamotte 
de  Hollande,  Bergamotte  Suisse)  ;  a  species  of  citron,  at  first 
casually  produced  by  an  Italian,  who  grafted  a  citron  on  the 
stock  of  a  Bergamot  pear-tree,  the  fruit  of  which  has  a  fine 
taste  and  smell,  and  whose  essential  oil  is  in  high  esteem  as  a 
perfume.  According  to  some  the  pear  was  named  from  Ber- 
gamo, in  Italy,  whence  it  is  said  to  have  been  first  brought ; 
others  assert  that  the  pear  was  first  brought  from  Turkey,  and 
they  derive  the  word  from  the  Turkish  beg,  bey,  lord ;  arnioud, 

pear  ;  "  prince  of  pears." A  species  of  snufi'  perfumed  with 

bergamot.  In  France,  the  word  bergamotte  is  also  used  to  denote 
little  boxes  of  sugar  plums  (bonbonnieres),  lined  with  the  peel 
of  this  kind  of  citron. 

BERGERA.  A  genus  of  plants  nat.  or.  Monogynia,  named 
in  honour  of  Professor  Berger,  of  Kiel. 

BERGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  pentagynia,  named  in 
honour  of  Dr.  Bergius,  of  Stockholm. 

BERGMANITE.    A  variety  of  scapolite,  by  some  regarded 
as  a  distinct  species,  of  a  grayish  colour,  of  different  shades  ; 
found  in  Norway  ;  named  after  Bergman,  the  mineralogist. 
BERTHIERA.    A  genus  of  plants,  of  which  there  is  but  one 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  21 

species,  the  Berthiera  Qiiianensis ;  a  shrub,  native  of  Guinea, 
named  in  honour  of  Professor  Berthier,  of  Paris. 

BERTHIERITE.  A  mineral,  consisting  of  antimony,  sul- 
phur, iron,  and  zinc ;  named  after  M.  Berthier. 

BERTHOLETIA.  A  name  given  to  the  Brazil  nut  tree,  a 
tall  tree  of  South  America,  the  fruit  of  which  is  well  known  in 
our  markets  ;  named  after  M.  Bertholet. 

BERYTUS.  A  genus  of  hemipters,  an  order  of  insects,  so 
named  from  Berytus,  now  Beyrout,  Syria. 

BERZELINE.  A  name  for  sileniuret  of  copper,  given  in 
honour  of  Berzelius.  A  mineral  occurring  in  minute  octahe- 
dral crystals,  found  in  Italy,  is  thus  named  by  Necker. 

BESIDERY,  or  Le  Bezi  d'Hery  ;  the  wilding  of  Heri. 
A  pear,  so  named  from  the  Forest  of  Heri,  in  Bretagne,  between 
Rheims  and  Nantes,  where  it  was  found. 

BERKELEYA.  A  genus  of  small  ball-shaped  sea-weeds ; 
named  in  honour  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Berkeley. 

BERLIN.  A  vehicle  of  the  chariot  kind,  named  from 
Berlin,  Prussia,  where  it  was  first  made.  Others  derive 
the  name  from  It.  berlina,  a  sort  of  stage  or  pillory,  and  a 
coach. 

BESLERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which  are 
either  shrubs  or  perennials ;  named  after  Basil  Besler,  a  Ger- 
man botanist. 

BESANT  or  BEZANT.  A  very  ancient  gold  coin  stamped 
at  Byzantium.     See  Bezant. 

BESSEMER.     A  steel  invented  by  Mr.  Bessemer. 

BETON  Y  (Fr.  betoine).  A  name  common  to  diflferent  species 
of  j)lants  of  the  genus  Betonica,  celebrated  for  almost  every 
medicinal  virtue.  The  word  Betonica  is  said  to  be  corrupted 
from  Vettonica,  which  is  further  derived  from  the  Vettones  or 
Vetones,  an  ancient  people  of  Spain,  who  first  used  this  plant. 
Much  has  been  written  in  praise  of  betony  ;  indeed,  in  Italy, 
"  You  have  more  virtues  than  betony  "  is  a  proverbial  com- 
pliment. 

BEZANT.  A  round  flat  piece  of  bullion  without  any  im- 
pression, which  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  current  coin  of 
Byzantium.     The  bezant  was,  in  all  probability,  introduced  into 


22  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

coat  armour  by  the  Crusaders.  Being  always  of  metal,  bezants 
ought  to  be  emblazoned  or,  or  argent. — Crabb. 

BEZANTY.  In  heraldiy,  an  epithet  for  a  cross  composed 
of  bezants.     See  Bezajjt. 

BIDDERY  or  BIDRI.  A  species  of  inlaid  ware  of  excel- 
lent form  and  graceful  patterns,  composed  of  copper,  lead,  tin, 
and  spelter ;  so  named  from  being  made  at  Biddree,  a  town  of 
Hindustan,  in  the  presidency  of  Bombay. 

BIEBERITE.  A  mineral  of  a  flesh  and  rose-red  colour, 
found  in  the  rubbish  of  old  mines  at  Bieber,  near  Hanau, 
and  at  Leogang,  in  Salzburg. 

BIGGIN  (formerly  ^z^'^ew,  Fr.  legiiin).  A  sort  of  female  head- 
dress ;  so  named  from  being  worn  by  the  Beguines,  a  religious 
sect  in  Flanders,  who,  without  having  taken  the  monastic  vows, 
are  united  for  the  purposes  of  devotion  and  charity,  and  who 
live  together  in  houses  called  beguinages, 

BIGNONIA.  An  extensive  genus  of  plants,  consisting 
mostly  of  shrubs,  natives  of  South  America,  named  in  honour 
of  the  Abbe  Bignon,  librarian  to  Louis  XIV. 

BIGOT.  Derived  by  Menage  from  ''by  God-;'  by  others 
from  bigote  (Sp.)  a  moustache.  Probably  from  the  Beguttse  or 
Beguines,  a  religious  community  in  Belgium. — *S'.  F.  Creswell. 

BILBO.  A  sort  of  rapier,  so  named  from  Bilboa,  in  Spain, 
where  the  best  were  made.  Hence  probably  bilboes,  spars  or 
bolts  of  iron,  with  shackles,  used  to  confine  the  feet  of  prisoners 
at  sea  ;  hence,  the  punishment  of  offenders  in  this  manner  is 
called  by  the  same  name. 

BISANTIUM,  BESANT,  orBESANTINE.  A  gold  coin 
of  Byzantium,  formerly  current  in  England,  equal  to  half 
a  ducane  silver,  or  two  shillings  sterling.     See  Besant. 

BISTOURY  (Fr.  bistoiiri).  A  surgical  instrument  for 
making  incisions,  either  fixed  in  a  handle  like  a  knife,  or  else 
the  blade  moveable  like  a  lancet ;  named  from  Pistoria,  in  Italy, 
where  it  was  first  made. 

BIVON-^A.  Cruciferous  plants  found  in  Italy,  named 
after  M.  A.  Bivoni  Bernardi. 

BLAKEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Monogynia,  named 
after  M.  Blake. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  23 

BLANKET.  A  cover  for  a  bed,  made  of  coarse  wool  loosely- 
woven,  and  used  for  securing  against  cold.  Some  assert  that 
blankets  had  their  name  from  three  brothers  at  Worcester,  by 
whom  they  were  first  invented;  that,  according  to  Nash's  history, 
a  family  of  the  name  resided  there  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I., 
and  that  at  Caines,  adjoining  the  city,  is  a  place  still  called  the 
Blanquets.  According  to  another  writer,  blankets  were  first 
manufactured  in  Bristol,  and  derived  their  name  from 
their  inventors,  who  lived  either  in  St.  Thomas  Street  or 
Temple  Street,  although  the  writer  does  not  deny  that  the 
inventors  may  have  been  Worcestershire  men.  A  correspondent 
of  iV^.  and  Q.  says  : — "  There  were  three  brothers  of  the  name 
of  Blanket  who  were  connected  with  Bristol  in  the  Middle 
Ages.  I  find  it  first  occurring  in  the  annals  of  the  city  in  the 
year  1340,  when  Thomas  Blanket  was  bailiff;  his  brother 
Edmund  held  the  same  office  in  1349,  and  was  member  of 
Parliament  for  the  town  in  1369,  to  which  dignity  a  third 
brother,  Edward,  who  was  the  eldest  of  the  three,  had  been 
elected  in  1362.  The  trio  seem  to  have  been  extensively 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  coarse  woollen  cloths,  for  which 
at  that  time  Bristol  was  much  celebrated  ;  but  to  Thomas,  the 
youngest  of  the  three,  the  introduction  of  the  article  of  bedding 
called  after  the  family  name  is  probably  due.  The  cloths  made 
by  the  brothers,  although  of  the  coarser  sorts,  were  sold  by 
them  in  large  quantities  to  be  made  into  garments  for  the 
peasantry,  who  until  their  time  had  worn  only  coarse  cloths 
made  from  hemp.  Blankets  soon  came  to  be  used  by  sportsmen, 
soldiers,  and  travellers,  in  lieu  of  the  loose  mantle  and  puckered 
cloak  and  cape,  which,  as  well  as  the  long  loose  robe  or  gown, 
were  inconvenient.  The  former  could  be  readily  thrown  across 
the  shoulders,  or  used  to  wrap  about  the  wearer  in  cold  or  wet 
weather ;  and  Edward  I.  found  them  very  useful  in  his  army 
when  encamped  against  the  Welsh  and  Scots.  When  stump 
bedsteads  came  into  use  among  the  wealthy,  about  the  reign  of 
Edward  III.  (before  which  time  they  had  slept  on  rushes,  straw, 
or  fern,  laid  upon  the  floor),  blankets,  soon  afterwards  manu- 
factured, came  to  be  part  of  the  necessary  furniture,  and  re- 
peated mention    is    made    of  them  in    the    Expenses    of    the 


24  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Great  Wardrobe  of  Edward  III.,  from  29  Sep.,  1347,  to  31 
Jan.,  1349."  See  Archasologia,  vol.  xxxi.  In  Rymer's  Foedera, 
and  in  the  Close  Rolls  of  13  Edw.  III.,  we  find  letters  of  pro- 
tection given  to  Thomas  Blanket  against  the  burgesses  of 
Bristol,  who  had  obstructed  him  in  the  manufacture  of  blankets. 
Bailey  gives  also  plonlcets,  a  kind  of  coarse  woollen  cloth  (An. 

1,  R.  III.,  c.  8),  "otherwise  called  vervise"  {Coioel). Among 

printers,  woollen  cloths  or  white  baize  laid  between  the  tjonpans 
of  a  printing-press  to  produce  a  fair  impression  of  the  letter. 
The  French  has  blanchet,  the  blanket  of  a  printer's  press,  which 
would  seem  to  be  a  diminutive  of  hlanche,  white.  Bailey  derives 
blanket  in  both  senses  from  the  French  blanchet,  and  gives  also 
bkmquet  as  the  name  of  a  sort  of  pea. 

BLARNEY.  Smooth  deceitful  talk,  flattery  (Irish).  Blarney 
is  the  name  of  a  castle  in  the  south  of  Ireland,  in  a  town  of 
the  same  name,  formerly  the  seat  of  the  powerful  clan  of  Mac- 
Carty,  created  Lord  Muskerry,  and  celebrated  from  a  curious 
superstition.  T.  Crofton  Croker  (Res.  S.  Ireland,  1824,  p. 
306)  says,  "  a  stone  in  the  highest  part  of  the  castle  wall  is 
pointed  out  to  the  visitors  which  is  supposed  to  give  whoever 
kisses  it  the  peculiar  privilege  of  deviating  from  veracity  with 
unblushing  countenance  whenever  it  may  be  convenient — hence 
the  well-known  phrase  blamei/."  The  celebrated  groves  of 
Blarney  are  about  five  miles  from  Cork.  Others  derive  the 
word  blarney  from  Fr.  baliverne,  a  lie,  fib,  gull  ;  also  a  babbling 
or  idle  discourse. 

BLETHIA.  A  variety  of  tropical  bulbous  plants,  named 
after  Louis  Blethia. 

BLETONISM.  The  faculty  of  perceiving  and  indicating 
subterraneous  sjjrings  and  currents  by  sensation  ;  so  called 
from  Bleton,  a  Frenchman,  who  was  supposed  to  possess  this 
faculty. 

BLOOMER.  Formerly  a  sort  of  female  dress  in  imitation 
of  male  attire,  first  set  on  foot  by  Mrs.  Bloomer,  wife  of  Colonel 
Bloomer,  an  American. 

BLUCHER.  A  kind  of  half-boot,  named  in  honour  of 
General  Bliicher,  who  commanded  the  Prussians  at  Water- 
loo. 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  25 

BOBBY.  A  slang  term  for  a  policeman,  because  the  force 
was  introduced  by  the  late  Sir  Robert  Peel. — *S'.  F.  Creswell. 

BOCCONIA.  The  tree  celandine,  a  genus  of  beautiful 
plants,  natives  of  Mexico  ;  named  after  Paolo  Bocconia,  a 
Sicilian  monk,  physician,  and  botanical  writer. 

BODENITE.  A  mineral  ;  colour  from  reddish-brown  to 
nearly  black;  from  Boden,  near  Marienberg,  in  the  Saxon 
Erzgebirge. 

BODLEIAN.  Pertaining  to  Sir  Thomas  Bodley,  who 
founded  a  celebrated  library  at  Oxford,  in  the  sixteenth 
century. 

BQEBERA.  A  family  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Polygamia  cpqualis, 
found  in  America;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Boeber. 

BQ5HMERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Tetraiidria, 
natives  of  America  and  the  West  Indies,  the  species  of  which 
are  mostly  shrubs  ;  named  after  George  Rudolph  Boehmer, 
professor  of  botany  at  Wittenberg,  in  Germany. 

BCEOTIAN.  Stupid  ;  from  Bceotia  (^jSoicvncc),  a  country 
of  ancient  Greece,  whose  inhabitants  were  remarkable  for  a 
natural  stupidity.  "  In  this  Bceotian  era  of  the  C^sars  the 
prefect  of  police  is  the  god  of  letters." — Letters  of  an  English- 
man on  Louis  Napoleon  in  the  "  Times" 

BOERHAAVIA.  Hogweed;  a  genus  of  exotic  plants,  named 
after  the  celebrated  physician  and  botanist  Boerhaave,  who  was 
born  at  Woarbout,  near  Ley  den,  in  1688. 

BOHEA  (in  Chinese  woo-e-cha).  A  sort  of  coarse  or  low- 
priced  tea  brought  from  Woo-e  (called  by  Europeans  Bohea) 
in  Fo-keen,  China.  Indeed,  black  tea  is  chiefly  brought  from 
Woo-e.     See  Grosier,  vol.  1,  467. 

BOLDOA.  A  genus  of  Indian  plants,  named  after  Dr. 
Boldo. 

BOLOGNA.  A  sausage  or  polony,  first  made  at  Bologna, 
in  Italy. 

BOLOGNIAN,  BOLONIAN,  BONONIAN,  or  BO- 
LOGNA. A  variety  of  sulphate  of  barytes,  found  in  roundish 
masses  ;  first  discovered  near  Bologna,  in  Italy. 

BOLOGNINO.  A  copper  coin  at  Bologna  and  its  neigh- 
bourhood, the  same  with  the  bajoccho. 


26  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

BOLSOVER.  A  yellowish  limestone  combining  carbonate 
of  soda  with  carbonate  of  lime,  and  containing  no  organic 
remains  ;  from  Bolsover,  in  Derbyshire.  The  new  palace  at 
Westminster  is  built  of  this  stone. 

BOLTONIA.       A   genus    of    North    American   perennial 
shrubs,  named  in  honour  of  Mr.  Bolton,  a  botanist  of  Halifax. 
BOLTONITE.       A   granular    mineral    of    a    greyish    or 
yellowish  colour,  chiefly  found  at  Bolton,  Massachusetts. 

BOMBITE.  A  blueish-black  mineral  of  impalpable  com- 
position, found  in  Bombay  ;  apparently  a  variety  of  flinty 
slate. — Shepard. 

BONAPARTEA.  A  genus  of  Peruvian  plants,  named  in 
honour  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte. 

BONAPARTISM.  The  policy  or  manners  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte. 

BONATEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  named  in  honour  of  Professor  Bonata. 

BON  CHRETIEN  ("  good  Christian").  A  pear,  said  to  have 
been  so  called  from  the  name  of  a  gardener. 

BONDY.  A  fine  large  pear,  which  probably  had  its  name 
from  the  Forest  of  Bondy,  in  France,  dep.  Seine. 

BONNEMAISONEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Algce ; 
named  after  Bonnemaison,  the  French  cryptogamist. 

BONNETIA.  A  tree  of  which  only  one  species  is  known, 
growing  in  Cayenne  and  Guiana  ;  named  in  honour  of  M. 
Charles  Bonnet,  a  naturalist,  philosopher,  and  distinguished 
metaphysician,  &c. 

BONPLANDIA  (Fr.  honplandie).      A  plant   from  which 

the  bark  angustora,  used  in  fever,  is  obtained. '"  The  name 

of  two  kinds  of  American  trees  ;  so  called  in  honour  of  M. 
Bonpland,  the  celebrated  traveller." — Bescherelle. 

BONSDORFITE.  A  sort  of  mineral  found  near  Abo,  in 
Finland  ;  named  after  Bonsdorf,  the  mineralogist. 

BONTIA.  A  plant,  an  evergreen  much  cultivated  at  Bar- 
badoes  for  making  hedges  ;  named  after  Jacobus  Bontius,  a 
distinguished  physician  and  naturalist  of  Batavia,  author  of 
De  Medicina  Indorum,  &c.  &c. 

BORBONIA.     A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which  are 


I 
VERBA    NOMINALIA.  27 

shrubs,  natives  of  the  Cape  of  G-ood  Hope;  named  after  Gaston 
de  Bourbon,  Duke  of  Orleans. 

BORDEAUX.  A  celebrated  wine  made  at  Bordeaux,  a 
city  and  seaport  of  France,  on  the  Garonne. 

BORNEEN.  The  name  given  to  a  compound  of  carbon 
and  hydrogen,  found  in  valeric  acid,  and  which  on  exposure  to 
moisture  acquires  the  properties  of  Borneo  camphor  ;  which 
latter,  according  to  Pereira,  rarely  comes  to  this  country  as  a 
commercial  article. 

BORNEOL.     Another  name  for  Borneo  camphor. 

BORYA.  A  genus  of  North  American  shrubs  ;  nat.  or. 
Digynia;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Bory  de  St.  Vincent. 

BO  SCI  A.  A  genus  of  shrubs  or  small  trees,  natives  of 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  ;  named  from  L.  Bosc,  the  French 

naturalist. A    genus  of  coleopterous   five-jointed   insects, 

containing  five  species,  from  the  United  States. 

BO  SEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Digynia,  of  which 
there  is  but  one  species,  a  native  of  the  Canaries  ;  named  after 
E.  G-.  Bose,  a  German  botanist. 

BOSTON.  A  complicated  game  of  cards  still  played  in 
Paris,  said  to  have  been  originally  from  Boston,  in  America. 

BOSSIQllA.  A  genius  of  leguminous  plants  named  in 
honour  of  M.  Bossien  Lamar tiniere. 

BOSWELLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  one  species  of  which 
yields  the  gum  resin  called  thus,  or  frankincense,  the  olibanum 
of  commerce,  so  much  used  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church ; 
named  in  honour  of  Dr.  J.  Boswell,  of  Edinburgh. 

BOSWELLISM.  A  peculiarity  of  James  Boswell,  a  writer 
of  merit,  well  known  as  the  friend  of  Dr.  Johnson. 

BOULANGERITE.  A  mineral  sulphuret  of  antimony 
and  lead,  occurring  abundantly  at  Molieres,  in  France,  dep. 
G-ard  ;  also  in  Lapland,  Tuscany,  &c.  &c.  ;  named  after 
M.  Boulanger. 

BOULINIS  or  BOULYNIS.  A  copper  coin  in  Italy, 
answering  to  an  English  penny  ;  so  called  from  having  been 
struck  at  Bologna. 

BOURNONITE.  A  mineral  of  a  metallic  lustre,  found  in 
the  Hartz  and  in  other  places  in  Europe  ;  and  also  in  Potosi,  in 


28  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

Mexico.  It  was  first  found  at  Endellion,  near  Redruth,  in 
Cornwall,  and  hence  called  endellionite  by  Count  Bournon, 
after  whom  it  has  since  been  named  bournonite. 

BOURRERIA.  A  genus  of  West  Indian  trees  (the  Ehretia 
Bourreria  of  Linnaeus)  ;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Bourer. 

BOUSTRAPA.  A  nickname  given  to  Louis  Napoleon, 
suggestive  of  three  important  events  in  the  career  of  the 
Prince  ;  from  Bou  for  Boulogne,  stra  Strasbourg,  im  Paris. 
—  Times,  11  Jan.  1853,  p.  5,  c.  2. 

BOUVARDIA.  A  genus  of  South  American  plants,  nat. 
or.  Monogyiiia ;  named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Bouvard. 

BOUGIE.  In  Continental  Europe,  the  name  given  to  a 
candle  originally  and  still  sometimes  made  of  wax.  According 
to  Corruvias,  the  Sp.  hugia  is  quasi  hiquica,  from  buco,  because 
in  making  the  bougie  it  is  passed  through  a  hole.  The  word 
is  more  correctly  derived  from  Boiijah  (found  Bugie),  a  town  of 
Algeria,  whence  the  French  originally  imported  both  their  wax 
and  their  bougies.  The  place  has  still  a  considerable  trade  in 
wax.  According  to  Scaliger,  the  Moors  also  called  a  monkey 
lugia,  because  a  great  many  of  them  were  imported  from 
Boujah.  Cf.  Menage,  Diet.  Etym.  "  Bougie ;"  Gramaye, 
Afrique,  liv.  ii.  ch.  10  ;  Scaliger,  centre  Cardan,  213  ;  Kimchi, 
Lex.  voc.  "Semamith;"  Juvenal,  Sat.  x.  "  Quales,  &c.;"  Pierre 
Dau,  Hist,  de  Barbaric,  liv.  i.  ch.  6  ;  Strabo,  liv.  xvii. ;  Bo- 
chart,    Col.    des   Phoen.   539  ;    and  P.   Labbe,  Etym.  Fran9. 

part    ii.    p.    16. A   long    slender   insti'ument,    introduced 

through  the  urethra  into  the  bladder  to  remove  obstacles.  It 
is  usually  made  of  slips  of  waxen  linen  coiled  into  a  cylindrical 
or  slightly  conical  form  by  rolling  them  on  any  hard  smooth 
surface.  It  is  also  made  of  catgut,  elastic  gum,  and  metal ; 
but  those  of  Avaxen  linen  are  generally  preferred. 

BOVEY.  Brown  lignite,  an  inflammable  fossil  resembling 
in  many  of  its  properties  bituminous  wood ;  found  at  Bovey 
Hatfield,  near  Exeter. 

BOWENITE.  A  mineral  of  a  bright  apple-green  colour 
found  at  Smithfield,  in  Rhode  Island,  in  nodules  imbedded  in 
granular  limestone,  analysed  by  Bowen. 

BOWIE,  BOWIE-KNIFE,     A  long  knife  or  dagger  used 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  29 

by  hunters  in  the  Western  States  of  America  ;   so  named  from 
an  American  colonel. — S.  F.  Creswell. 

BOWLESIA.  A  plant ;  nat.  or.  Umbelliferce,  named  after 
Bowles,  author  of  Travels  in  Spain. 

BRAGATIONITE.  A  silicate  in  form  closely  agreeing 
with  epidote  ;  found  in  the  Achmatowsk  Mine,  district  of 
Slatoust,  in  the  Ural;  probably  named  after  Prince  Bragation. 

BRADLEYA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Monadelphia, 
the  species  of  which  are  shrubs,  natives  of  India  and  China  ; 
named  after  Professor  Bradley,  of  Cambridge. 

BREGUET.  In  England,  a  term  usually  applied  to  a 
particular  kind  of  watch-key  and  chain.  The  word  is  pro- 
perly applicable  to  the  watches  made  by  M.  Breguet,  a 
celebrated  manufacturer,  who  was  born  in  1747  at  Neufchatel, 
in  Switzerland,  and  died  in  1823  at  Paris.  M.  Breguet  rendered 
very  great  services  to  both  astronomy,  natural  philosophy,  and 
navigation  ;  was  member  of  the  Bureau  des  Longitudes,  and 
afterwards  of  the  Institute,  where  he  replaced  Carnot. 

BRAHMINISM.     The  religion  of  the  Brahmins. 

BREISLAKITE.  A  newly-discovered  Vesuvian  mineral 
which  lines  the  small  cavities  in  the  lava  of  Scala,  and  in  that 
of  Olebano  ;  named  from  Breislak,  a  celebrated  Italian 
naturalist. — Journal  of  Science. 

BREITHAUPTITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  nickel,  iron, 
antimony,  and  sulphuret  of  lead,  found  at  Andreasberg  ;  named 
after  Breithaupt. 

BREVICITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate,  found  in 
white  fibrous  subfoliated  masses,  probably  in  syenite,  near 
Brevig,  in  Norway. 

BREWSTERITE.  A  mineral  found  in  attached  crystals 
at  Strontian,  in  Argyleshire;  at  the  Giant's  Causeway;  at  St. 
Turpet,  in  the  Breisgau  ;  in  dep.  Isere,  France  ;  and  in  the 
Pyrenees  ;  named  after  Sir  David  Brewster. 

BREWSTOLINE.  A  mineral  occurring  in  crystal  of  topaz, 
chrysoberl,  quartz,  crystals  from  Quebec,  and  amethyst  from 
Siberia,  where  it  was  detected  by  Sir  David  Brewster. 

BREYNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of  which 
is  the  Breynia  disticha,  a  native  of  New  Caledonia,  &c.;  named 


30  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

in  honour  of  J.  Breynius,  and  his  son  J.  P.  Breynius,  both 
celebrated  botanists.  Bescherelle  says,  "  De  J.  Breynius, 
bot.  Beige,  probablement  le  meme  que  Jacques  Breyn  de 
Dantzig." 

BRIAREAN.  Hundred-handed,  like  Briareus,  son  of  Titan 
and  Terra,  one  of  the  giants,  feigned  by  the  poets  to  have  had 
a  hundred  arms  and  fifty  heads. 

BRIGAND.  A  robber  ;  probably  derived  from  the  Brigan- 
tes,  a  people  of  Continental  Europe  ;  or  from  the  Brigantes,  the 
most  northern  and  powerful  people,  who  ravaged  Great  Britain 
in  the  time  of  the  Romans,  and  who  were  subdued  by  Cerialis. 
They  probably  had  their  appellation  from  the  W.  brig,  a  top  or 
summit,  from  frequenting  the  tops  of  the  mountains.  The  W. 
hrigant  is  a  summit ;  also  a  highlander. 

BRITANNIA.  A  metallic  compound  or  alloy,  consisting 
chiefly  of  block  tin,  with  some  antimony,  and  a  small  portion 
of  copper  and  brass  {^Encyc.  Dom.  Econ.)     Explains  itself. 

BRITANNIC  A  (Gr.  ^psravvi-na).  A  plant,  so  called  because 
it  is  said  by  the  ancients  to  have  been  discovered  by  the  Friez- 
landers  on  the  coast  of  the  British  Channel. — Crobb. 

BROBDIGNAGIAN.  Gigantic;  from  the  kingdom  of 
Brobdignag,  in  Gulliver's  Travels. — S.  F.  Creswell. 

BROCHANTITE.  A  basic  sulphate  of  copper,  occurring 
in  emerald-green  crystals,  at  Katherinenburg,  in  Siberia;  named 
by  Levy  after  Brochant  de  Villiers. 

BROMELIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which  are 
shrubs,  natives  of  South  America,  Jamaica,  &c. ;  named  after 
Bromel,  the  Swedish  botanist. —  Crabb. 

BROOKITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  titanic  acid  and  red 
oxide  of  iron ;  first  observed  by  Mr.  Brooke  in  crystals  from 
Snowdon. 

BROUGHAM.  A  four-wheeled  carriage  named  after  Lord 
Brougham. 

BROWALLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Scrophulariaceoe, 
named  after  J.  Browallius,  Bishop  of  Abo,  in  Finland. 

BROWNE  A.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Leguminaceoe, 
called  after  Dr.  Browne,  the  historian  of  Jamaica. — Crabb. 

BROWNISM.      The   doctrines    or   religious    creed  of  the 


VERBA   NOMTNALIA.  31 

Brownists,  who  rejected  both  episcopacy  and  presbyterianism. 
They  had  their  name  from  Robert  Brown,  a  dissenter  from  the 
Church  of  England,  who  left  England  with  his  congregation 
and  settled  at  Middleburg,  in  Zealand. 

BROYHAN.  A  celebrated  white  Hanoverian  beer  first 
brewed  by  Cord  Broyhan  in  1526.  It  is  doubtless  the  same 
as  that  called  Halberstadtische  Briehan  by  Zedler. 

BRUCEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  XanthoxylacecB,  the 
species  of  which  are  evergreen  ornamental  shrubs,  natives 
of  the  East  Indies  ;  named  after  Bruce,  the  Abyssinian 
traveller. 

BRUCITE.  Native  hydrate  of  magnesia,  named  in  honour 
of  A.  Bruce,  Esq.  The  name  has  also  been  given  by  American 
mineralogists  to  chondrodite. — Dana.  • 

BRUMSFELSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which 
are  shrubs,  natives  of  the  East  Indies  ;  named  after  Otho 
Brunsfelsius,  a  monk,  physician,  and  botanist  of  Mentz. 

BRUNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  nat.  or.  Escalloniaceoe^ 
principally  natives  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope ;  named  in 
honour  of  Cornelius  Brun,  the  celebrated  traveller. 

BRUNONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  Australia, 
named  in  honour  of  Robert  Brown,  the  distinguished  botanist. 

BRUNSVEGIA.  A  name  given  to  the  Amarythis  orientalis, 
a  splendid  species  of  the  genus,  in  honour  of  the  Brunswick 
family,  one  of  great  antiquity. 

BRUTIA.  A  resinous  pitch  used  to  make  the  oleum  picinum ; 
from  Brutia  (Brutium  ?),  in  Italy. 

BUCELLAS.  A  wine  named  from  a  small  village  near 
Lisbon. 

BUCHNERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which 
are  shrubs,  natives  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  ;  called  after 
Buchner,  a  German  botanist. 

BUCHOLZITE.  A  newly  discovered  fibrous  mineral,  of 
great  hardness,  consisting  chiefly  of  silex  and  alumina;  named 
after  M.  Bucholz.  A  fibrous  mineral  called  fibrolite,  brought 
from  the  Carnatic,  is  supposed  to  be  identical  with  bucholzite. 
An  Americn  mineral  so  called  is  nothing  but  kyanite. 

BUCKLANDIA.       A    fossil  plant  supposed  to  have  be- 


32  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

longed  to  the  Liliacece  ;  named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Bucklaud,  the 
geologist. 

BUCKLANDITE.  A  silicate  found  in  small  crystals  in 
the  Neskiel  Mine  at  Arendal,  in  Sweden  ;  and  also,  under  other 
circumstances,  in  Siberia,  and  at  the  Lake  of  Laach,  near  the 
Rhine  ;  probably  named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Buckland. 

BUDDHISM  or  BOODHISM.  The  doctrines  of  the 
Buddhists;  a  system  of  religion  in  Eastern  Asia  It  teaches 
that  at  distant  intervals  a  Boodh  or  deity  appears,  to  restore  the 
world  from  a  state  of  ignorance  and  decay,  and  then  sinks  into 
a  state  of  entire  non-existence  or  Nirvana,  or  rather,  perhaps, 
of  bare  existence,  without  attributes,  action,  or  consciousness. 
Four  Boodhs  have  thus  appeared  and  passed  into  Nirvana,  the 
last  of  whom,  Guadama,  became  incarnate  about  500  years 
before  Christ.  The  objects  of  worship,  until  another  Boodh 
appears,  are  the  relics  and  images  of  Guadama. 

BUDDLEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  natives  of 
Jamaica  ;  named  in  honour  of  Adam  Buddie,  a  botanist. 

BUHL,  Ornamental  cabinet  furniture  in  which  mother- 
of-pearl,  tortoiseshell,  and  various  coloured  woods  are  inlaid 
with  brass  ;  so  called  after  its  inventor,  a  German. 

BULLACE.  The  wild  plum  (called  also  bullace  plum  and 
bullace-tree),  the  Primus  instititia  of  Linnaeus.  The  word  is 
found  written  bullis,  and  is  corrupted  from  burdelais  or  burlace, 
q.  v. The  bully-tree,  a  native  of  the  West  Indies. 

BUNGALOW.  In  Bengal,  a  thatched  cottage,  such  as  is 
usually  occupied  by  Europeans  in  the  jDrovinces  or  in  the 
military  cantonments,  and  constructed  of  wood,  bamboo,  mats, 
and  thatch.  The  word  is  a  corruption  of  the  Bengali  bdngld, 
which  Professor  Wilson  thinks  may  be  from  Banga,  Bengal. 

BUNKUM.  In  America,  high-flown  talk,  bragging.  The 
origin  of  bunkum  is  explained  in  Wheeler's  History  of  North 
Carolina.  "  Several  years  ago,  in  Congress,  the  member  for  that 
state,  a  resident  of  No.  6,  County  of  Buncombe,  rose  to 
address  the  House,  without  any  extraordinary  power  in  manner 
or  matter  to  interest  the  audience.  Many  members  left  the 
hall.  Very  naively  the  orator  told  those  who  remained  that 
they  might  go  too  ;  he  should  speak  for  some  time,  '  but  he  was 


VERBA    XOMINALIA.  33 

only  talking  for  Buncombe.'"  Cf.  Bartlett,  Dictionary  of 
Americanisms  ;  Haliburton ;  Illustrated  News  for  June  26, 
1858  ;  and  N.  &  Q.  2nd  S.  vi.  92  ;  3rd  S.  iii.  427. 

BURDWAN.  An  oriental  dish  of  high  savour,  made  with 
a  young  fowl  or  chicken  pai-boiled  ;  named  fi'om  Burdwan,  a 
district  of  British  India,  prov.  Bengal. 

BURG-UNDY.  A  celebrated  wine,  so  called  from  Bur- 
gundy {Bourgogne),  an  ancient  province  of  France,  where  it  is 
produced  ;  a  district  whose  soil  is  fertile  in  grain  and  fruits, 
and  above  all  in  renowned  wines. 

BURL  ACE.  A  sort  of  grape  ;  a  contraction  of  hurdelais  ; 
from  the  Fr.  hourdelais,  "  variete  de  raisin  a  grains  ovales  et 
noirs  ;"  from  Le  Bourdelais,  pays  de  Guyenne,  of  which  the 
capital  is  Bordeaux. 

BURKE.  To  suffocate  by  fixing  an  adhesive  plaister  or 
other  obstruction  over  the  nose  and  mouth  ;  a  crime  rendered 
notorious  by  an  Irishman  named  Burke,  who  sold  the  bodies  of 

his  victims  for   dissection.      He  was   executed  in    1829. 

Metaphorically,  to  burke  a  report  or  an  invention  is  to  exclude 
it  from  publicity,  to  consign  it  to  oblivion. 

BURMANNIA.     A   genus   of  plants  of    which  there  are 
two  species,  natives  of  Ceylon,  Virginia,  and  Carolina ;  named 
in  honour  of  John  Burmann,    M.D.,  Professor  of  Botany  at 
Amsterdam,   author  of  Thesaurus  Zeylanicus,    and    Decades 
Rariorum  Plantarum  Africanarum. 

BURSERA.  A  genus  of  West  Indian  plants  of  but  one 
species,  the  Bursera  gummifera  or  Jamaica  birch-tree,  which 
yields  the  gum  elemi;  named  in  honour  of  Joachim  Bursera, 
pupil  of  Caspar  Bauhin,  a  great  collector  of  plants,  whose 
Herbarium,  in  thirty  volumes,  may  be  seen  at  Upsala. 

BUSBY.  A  sort  of  fur  hat  worn  by  the  light  cavalry, 
copied  from  the  Hungarian  or  Polish;  said  to  have  derived  its 
name  from  Dr.  Richard  Busby,  a  celebrated  master  of  West- 
minster School,  who  Avore  a  hat  of  a  somewhat  similar  de- 
scription. Dr.  Busby  was  born  in  1606;  in  1640  he  became 
head  master  of  the  Westminster  School,  which  appoint- 
ment he  retained  till  his  death  in  1695,  a  period  of  fifty-five 
years. 


34  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

BIJTTNERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  whose  species  consist  of 
shrubby  perennials  ;  named  in  honour  of  A.  Biittner. 

BYTOWNITE.  A  mineral,  a  silicate  occurring  in  large 
boulders  near  Bytown,  Canada  West. 

BYZANT,  BEZANT,  or  BYZANTINE.  A  gold  coin  of 
the  value  of  £15  sterling,  so  called  from  having  been  coined 
at  Byzantium.  Also  a  piece  of  gold  of  the  value  of  £15, 
offered  by  the  king  on  certain  festivals. — Camden;   Ash. 


0. 


CABAL.  A  number  of  persons  united  in  some  close 
design,  usually  to  promote  their  private  views  in  church  or 
state  by  intrigue  ;  a  jumble.  The  Fr.  cahale  is  a  club,  society, 
or  combination ;  the  It.  cabala,  knowledge  of  secret  things ; 
the  S|).  cabala,  secret  science  ;  cabal,  perfect,  just,  exact ; 
probably  from  the  Heb.  b^p  kahal,  to  take,  receive,  accept, 
whence  cabala,  certain  traditions  of  the  Jews ;  but  according 
to  some,  cabal  was  the  appellation  given  to  the  ministry  of 
Charles  II.,  the  initials  of  their  names  being  Clifford,  J.shley, 
Buckingham,  J.rlington,  iauderdale ;  "  than  which,"  says 
Hume,  "  never  was  a  more  dangerous  ministry  in  England,  nor 
one  more  noted  for  pernicious  councils." 

CABANNAH.  A  cigar  originally  from  Cuba,  so  named 
from  the  manufacturer.  In  the  "  present  age  of  progress  " 
they  are,  in  England,  principally  made  of  cabbage-leaves. 

CACHOLONG.  An  opaque  or  milk-white  chalcedony,  a 
variety  of  quartz.  It  often  envelops  common  chalcedony,  and 
is  sometimes  associated  with  flint.  According  to  Webster,  the 
word  is  said  to  be  from  Cach,  the  name  of  a  river  in  Bucharia 
(in  the  empire  of  Russia),  and  cholon,  a  Calmuc  word  for 
stone. 

CADILLAC.  A  sort  of  pear,  from  Cadillac,  in  France, 
dep.  Gironde. 

CADMEAN  or  CADMIAN.  A  name  applied  to  the  ancient 
Greek  or  Ionic  letters,  such  as  they  were  brought  by  Cadmus 
into  Greece    from    Phoenicia,    whence    Herodotus    calls   them 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  35 

Pha3nician  letters.  They  were  the  sixteen  simple  letters  of 
the  alphabet  as  follows  : — 

a,  /3,  y,  ^,  £,  i,  >c,  A,  /^,  V,  0,  TT,  f,  0-,  r,  u. 

According  to  some  writers,  Cadmus  was  not  the  inventor,  nor 
even  the  importer  of  Greek  letters,  but  only  the  modeller  and 
reformer  thereof;  and  it  was  hence  they  acquired  the  appella- 
tion of  Cadmean  or  Phoenician  letters,  whereas  before  that 
time  they  were  called  Pelasgian  letters. 

C^  SALPINX  A.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which 
are  natives  of  hot  climates,  and  afford  the  wood  used  in  dyeing 
known  in  commerce  under  the  name  of  Brazil-wood.  So 
named  in  honour  of  C^salpinus,  chief  physician  to  Pope 
Clement  VIII. 

C^SIA.  A  genus  of  liliacious  plants,  natives  of  Austra- 
lasia ;  named  by  Mr.  Brown  in  honour  of  Frederico  Cajsio,  a 
Roman  nobleman  illustrious  for  his  patronage  and  cultivation 
of  science,  who  founded  the  celebrated  academy  of  the  LyncEci 
at  Rome,  in  1603,  whence  have  sprung  most  of  the  scientific 
associations  of  Europe. 

C^SIO.  A  genus  of  fishes,  having  the  dorsal  and  anal 
spines  remarkably  large,  and  their  base  coated  with  scales ; 
probably  named  in  honour  of  Caesio.     See  C^siA. 

CAHORS.  A  celebrated  French  wine  made  from  a  black 
grape  growing  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Cahors,  dep.  Lot. 

CAIRNGORM.  A  yellow  or  brown  variety  of  rock- 
crystal,  or  crystallized  quartz,  found  in  the  mountain  of  Cairn- 
gorm, in  Scotland. 

CAJETA.  In  entomology,  the  name  under  Avhich  Cramer 
figures  the  Gmelinian  Noctua  fullonica.  The  word  cajeta  is 
either  derived  from  Gaeta,  in  Italy;  or  from  a  surname  formed 
from  Caius. 

CALATRAVA.  A  Spanish  military  order,  named  from 
Calatrava,  in  Spain. 

CALCAVALLA.  A  kind  of  sweet  wine  from  Portugal, 
doubtless  named  from  a  locality. 

CALEDONITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  the  sulphate  and 
carbonate  of  lead,  and  carbonate  of  copper,  occurring  at  Lead- 

D  2 


36  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

hills,  in  Scotland ;  named  from  Caledonia,  the  ancient  name  of 
Scotland.  It  is  also  found  in  Cumberland,  in  the  Hartz,  and 
in  Missouri. 

CALEMBOURGr.  (Fr.)  A  pun,  witticism;  from  a  Ger- 
man Count  KahUinberg,  noted  for  his  blunders  in  the  French 
language.  {Brande.  See  instance  in  N.  &  Q.,  3rd  S.,  V.,  257.) 
Kahlenberg  is  the  name  of  a  hill  in  Austria,  on  the  Danube, 
on  whose  side  the  army  of  Sobieski  arrived  to  the  rescue  of 
Vienna  when  besieged  by  the  Turks  in  1683  ;  and  Calemberg 
is  the  name  of  a  chfiteau  near  Coburg,  in  Germany. 

CALEPIN.  Formerly  a  common  name  for  a  lexicon,  and  still 
used  in  French  for  a  memorandum-book,  scrap-book,  or  commou- 
place  book.  The  word  is  derived  from  Ambrose  Calepin  or  Da 
Calepio,  a  celebrated  grammarian  and  lexicographer  of  the 
fifteenth  century,  a  native  of  Bergamo,  in  Italy ;  author  of  a 
polyglot  dictionary,  of  which  there  are  many  editions  with 
the  improvements  of  later  philologists.  Cf.  Moreri;  Tiraboschi, 

CALEYA.  A  genus  of  Australian  bulbous-rooted  plants 
named  in  honour  of  George  Cayley,  the  eminent  botanist. 

CALICO.  A  kind  of  cotton  cloth,  so  named  from  Calicut, 
on  the  Malabar  coast,  where  it  was  first  manufactured.  It  is 
now  also  made  both  in  Europe  and  the  United  States. 

CALIPPIC.  In  chronology,  a  term  applied  to  a  period  of 
76  years,  continually  recurring,  after  which  it  was  supposed 
by  Calippus,  an  Athenian  astronomer,  that  the  lunations,  &c., 
of  the  moon  would  return  again  in  the  same  order  ;  but  this 
is  incorrect,  as  it  brings  them  too  late  by  a  day  in  225  years. 

CALUMBA,  COLUMBO,  COLUMBA,  or  COLOMBO. 
A  root  of  an  aromatic  smell  and  pungent  bitter  taste,  used  as  a 
tonic,  imported  from  Colombo,  in  Ceylon.  According  to 
Webster,  it  is  the  root  of  the  Cocculus  palmatus,  growing  in 
Mozambique,  where  its  native  name  is  halumh. 

CALVINISM.  The  theological  tenets  or  doctrines  of  Cal- 
vin, who  was  born  in  Picardy,  in  France,  and  in  1536  chosen 
professor  of  divinity  and  minister  of  a  church  in  Geneva. 

CAMBRIC  (Fr.  toile  de  Camhrai).  A  very  fine  white  linen, 
named  from  Cambray,  in  French  Flanders,  where  it  was  first 
manufactured  bv  the  Dutch  emigrants  in   1563.  at  which  time 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  37 

it  was    chiefly  used  for  large  ruffs.       The  fabric   souietimos 
called  cambric  iu  England  is  made  of  cotton  ;    that  of  France 
and  Ireland,  of  flax.      Cf.  also  Anders.  Comm.  11,  170;  Stow's 
"Annals,  869,  ed.  Howes  ;   Strutt's  Dresses,  209. 

CAMELLIA.  A  genus  of  beautiful  flowering  shrubs,  the 
principal  of  which  are  the  Camellia  Japonicu,  and  the  Camellia 
sasanqua,  natives  of  China  and  Japan ;  named  in  honour  of 
G.  J.  Kamel  or  Camellus,  a  Jesuit  and  botanist, 

CAMERARIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which 
are  natives  of  South  America  and  Ceylon;  called  after  J.  Came- 
rai'ius,  a  botanist  of  Nuremberg. — Crahh. 

CAMPEACHY.  A  tree  and  wood  (logwood)  much  used  in 
dyeing  ;  named  from  the  Bay  of  Campeachy,  in  Spanish 
America,  whence  it  is  brought. 

CANAANITE.  A  mineral  allied  to  scapolite,  from  Canaan, 
Connecticut,  U.S. 

CANARINA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Campanulacece ; 
so  called  because  they  come  from  the  Canaries.  —  Crahh. 

CANARY.  A  wine,  the  same  with  sack,  from  the  Canaries, 
where  the  Spaniards  first  planted  vines.  Hence  canary,  name 
of  an  old  dance.     Indeed,  Shakspeare  has  used  the  word  as  a 

verb  for  to  dance,  in  a  kind  of  cant  phrase. A  singing-bird 

from  the  Canary  Isles,  although  now  bred  in  other  countries. 
A  grass,  the  seeds  of  which  are  collected  for  canary-birds. 

CANNIBAL.  A  human  being  that  eats  human  flesh. 
Columbus,  in  the  narrative  of  his  discoveries,  mentions  certain 
people  called  Cannibals ;  but  in  the  isles  he  says  the  natives 
lived  in  great  fear  of  Carihals,  or  people  of  Cariba,  called  in 
Hispaniola  Carih.  Again,  in  old  maps  the  Caribbee  Islands  are 
called  the  Cannibal  Islands. 

CANOPY.  From  the  L.  canopeum  or  conojHum ;  from 
Kcovoo^',  a  gnat  ;  or  from  Canopus,  a  town  in  Lower  Egypt. 
{S.  F.  Creswell.)  But  qu.  from  jcwvwTTsiov,  a  curtain  to  keep  off" 
gnats  ;  from  yuovw^,  a  gnat ;  or  from  -kouvoq,  a  cone,  from  its  form. 

CANT.  A  whining  singing  manner  of  speech  ;  a  quaint 
affected  mode  of  uttering  words,  either  in  conversation  or 
preaching.  "This  word,  which  is  now  generally  applied  (o 
fanaticism  and  hypocrital  conduct,  is  derived  from  two  Scotch 

■"'«■  **.,/ 


38  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Presbyterian  ministers  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  They  were 
father  and  son,  both  named  Andrew  Cant ;  and  Whitelock  in 
his  Memoirs,  after  narrating  the  defeat  at  Worcester  in  1651, 
says,  Divers  Scotch  ministers  were  permitted  to  meet  at 
Edinburgh  to  keep  a  day  of  humiliation,  as  they  pretended,  for 
their  too  much  correspondence  with  the  king  ;  and  in  the 
same  month,  when  Lord  Argyll  had  called  a  Parliament,  Mr. 
Andrew  Cant,  a  minister,  said  in  his  pulpit  that  God  was 
bound  to  hold  this  Parliament,  for  that  all  other  Parliaments 
were  called  by  man,  but  this  Avas  brought  about  by  His  own 
hand"  (_Timbs).  Dr.  Jamieson,  under  emit,  says,  "  to  sing  in 
speaking,  to  repeat  after  the  manner  of  recitative.  (Scot.) 
This  term  is  generally  applied  to  preachers  who  deliver  their 
discourses  in  this  manner  ;"  and,  after  referring  to  the  above 
anecdote,  he  says,  "  but  there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  this 
ungraceful  mode  of  speaking  is  much  more  ancient,  and  that 
it  was  imported  by  our  Reformers  from  the  Church  of  Rome,  as 
it  undoubtedly  bears  the  greatest  resemblance  to  the  chanting 
of  the  service,  and  the  word  may  have  had  its  origin  immedi- 
ately from  the  L.  canto,  to  sing,  chant.  Some  even  go  so  far  as 
to  assert  that  Cicero  and  the  other  Roman  orators  delivered  all 
their  orations  in  recitative." 

CANTABRICA.  Lavender-leaved  bindweed,  a  herb  of  the 
genus  Convolvulus ;  so  named  from  having  been  discovered  in 
Cantabria,  the  appellation  formerly  given  to  the  north-eastern 
part  of  Spain.      See  Pliu.  25,  47. 

CANTERBURY.  A  receptacle  for  music,  portfolios,  loose 
papers,  &c.,  being  an  ornamental  stand  with  divisions,  first 
made  at  Canterbury. A  pivot  crane. 

CAOUTCHOUC  (found  cahuca).  Another  name  for  India 
rubber,  an  elastic  substance  impermeable  to  water,  produced 
from  the  Hevea  Chiianensis,  and  various  other  plants.  It  is 
brought  from  the  forests  of  Guiana,  in  South  America,  and 
either  the  word  is  of  native  origin  or  the  substance  may  have 
been  so  named  because  produced  in  great  abundance  on  the 
banks  of  the  Cauca,  in  New  Granada. 

CAPE.  A  wine  of  which  there  are  tAvo  kinds,  made  in  the 
Cape  Colony. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA,  39 

CAPORCIANITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate  occurriug 
in  geodes  witli  calcite,  in  the  gabbro  rosso  of  Monte  Capor- 
ciano  at  L'Impruneta,  and  other  places  in  Tuscany. 

CARADOC.  A  sandstone,  a  division  of  the  Lower  Silurian 
rocks,  consisting  of  red,  purple,  green,  and  white  micaceous, 
sometimes  quartzose,  grits,  and  limestones,  2500  feet  thick,  con- 
taining corals  and  mollusca  ;  so  named  from  a  ridge  in  Shrop- 
shire, on  the  flanks  of  which  it  is  exposed.  "  The  chief  and 
loftiest  central  mass,  or  that  of  Caer-Caradoc,  gives  name  to 
the  Avhole  range." — 31urchison. 

CARAWAY.  A  biennial  ;  the  Carum  carui,  having  a  root 
like  a  parsnip,  and  esteemed  equal  to  a  parsnip.  Its  seed  is  a 
strong  aromatic,  abounding  in  essential  oil.     See  Carum. 

CARICA.  The  systematic  name  of  a  genus  of  plants,  nat. 
or.  Papayacece;  so  called  because  it  was  brought  from  Caria. 

CARICUM.  A  detergent  ointment  for  ulcers,  named  after 
its  inventor  Caricus. 

CARL  D'OR.  A  gold  coin  of  Brunswick,  worth  about  five 
rix-dollars,  or  about  sixteen  shillings  sterling  ;  probably  named 
from  one  of  the  rulers  of  the  dukedom. 

CARLINA  or  CARLINE.  A  thistle  ;  a  genus  of  plants 
so  called  from  the  Emperor  Charlemagne,  whose  army  is  said 
t©  have  been  preserved  from  the  plague  by  the  use  of  its 
root. 

CARLINO,  CARLINE,  or  CAROLINE.  A  small  coin 
and  money  of  account  in  Naples  and  Sicily  equal  to  4|d.  In 
Piedmont,  a  gold  piece  coined  before  1785,  equal  to  £51  8s.  8d; 
subsequently  to  that  year  equal  to  £5  12s.  3c?.;  probably  named 
from  a  ruler,  Carlo, 

CARLUDOVICA.  A  genus  of  plants  named  after  Charles  IV. 
of  Spain  and  his  queen  Louisa. 

CARMxiGNOLE.  A  name  given  to  the  members  of  a 
revolutionary  party  in  France,  the  most  exalted  of  the  club  of 
the  Jacobins.  The  Carmagnoles  were  leagued  in  1792  against 
the  unfortunate  Queen  Marie  Antoinette.  They  had  their 
name  from  a  dance  song  which  they  sang,  and  which  was  com- 
posed on  the  occasion  of  the  taking  of  Carmagnola,  in  Pied- 
mont.    The  word  carmagnole  is  also  applied  to  the  dress  worn 


40  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

by  the  Carmagnoles;  and  also,  in  disparagement,  to  a  soldier  of 
the  Republican  armies  of  France. 

CARMELITE.  A  woollen  stuff  used  for  dresses,  and  so 
named  as  resembling  the  garb  of  the  Carmelites,  an  order  of 
mendicant  friars  established  on  Mount  Carmel,  Syria,  in  the 
twelfth  century. 

CAROLATHINE.  A  mineral,  colour  honey-yellow  to 
wine-yellow,  resembling  mellite,  found  near  Gleiwitz;  named 
after  the  Prince  of  Carolath. 

CAROLIN  or  CAROLIN  D'OR.  A  gold  coin  of  Bavaria, 
Hesse-Darmstadt,  and  Wiirtemburg,  equal  to  £1  Os.  4^d., 
probably  named  from  a  ruler.  Carlo. 

CAROLINE  A.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  StercuUacce,  the 
species  of  which  are  natives  of  Guinea,  called  after  Sophia 
Caroline,  Margravine  of  Baden. 

CAROLUS.  A  broad  piece  of  gold  struck  in  the  reign  of 
Charles  I.,  equal  to  205. 

CARPET.  A  covering  for  the  floor,  a  manufacture  of 
oriental  origin.  Skinner  suggests  that  the  It.  car'petta  may  be 
from  Cairo  and  tapeto ;  "q.  d.  tapes  Cairicus  seu  Ilemphiticus,"  a 
carpet  of  Cairo  or  Memphis.  This  agrees  with  Cotgrave,  who 
renders  the  O.  Fr.  cairin  "  Turkie  carpet ;  such  a  one  as  is 
brought  from  Caire,  in  Egypt."  Carpets  with  hair  or  shag  on 
one  side  only  were  called  by  the  ancients  tapetes  ,•  those  having 
shag  on  both  sides  were  styled  amphitapetes. 

CARP-MEALS.  A  kind  of  coarse  cloth  made  in  the 
north  of  England  (Phillips)  ;  most  probably  named  from  some 
place  on  the  coast.  Bailey  renders  meales,  vales,  "  the  shelves 
or  banks  of  sand  on  the  sea-coast  of  Norway;"  but  the  term 
is  also  found  in  localities  on  the  English  coast. 

CARRONADE.  A  short  piece  of  ordnance,  so  called  from 
the  village  of  Carron,  in  Stirlingshire,  where  first  made. 

CARTESIAN.  Pertaining  to  Descartes,  or  to  his  philo- 
sophy, which  taught  the  doctrine  of  vortexes  round  the  sun 
and  planets. 

CARUM.  A  plant  from  Caria,  in  Asia  Minor,  where  it 
Avas  first  found.  It  is  now  the  name  of  a  genus  of  plants,  nat. 
or.  TJmbelliferce. 


VEKBA    NOMINALIA.  41 

CAR  YATES,  CARYATIDES.  In  architecture,  figures  of 
women  dressed  in  long  robes  after  the  Asiatic  manner,  serving 
to  support  entablatures.  The  Athenians  had  been  long  at  war 
with  the  Caryans ;  the  latter  being  at  length  vanquished,  and 
their  wives  led  captive,  the  Greeks,  to  perpetuate  the  event, 
erected  trophies,  in  which  figures  of  women,  dressed  in  the 
Caryatic  manner,  were  used  to  support  entablatures.  Other 
female  figures  were  afterwards  used  in  the  same  manner,  but 

they  were  called  by  the  same  name    {Encyc.) They  were 

called  Caryatides  from  Carya,  a  city  in  the  Peloponnesus  which 
sided  with  the  Persians,  and  on  that  account  was  sacked  by 
the  other  G-reeks,  its  males  butchered,  and  its  females  reduced 
to  slavery  (Cyc.) 

CASHMERE  or  CACHEMERE.  A  peculiar  textile  fabric 
first  imported  from  the  kingdom  of  Cashmere,  and  noAV  well 
imitated  in  France  and  Great  Britain.  The  material  of  the 
Cashmere  shawls  is  the  downy  wool  found  about  the  roots  of 
the  hair  of  the  Thibet  goat. —  Ure. 

CASSANDRA.  A  name  given  by  several  authors  to  a  very 
elegant  sea-shell,  of  concha  glohosa  or  clolium  kind,  more  usually 
known  under  the  name  of  the  lyi^a  or  harp-shell.  It  is  sup- 
posed to  be  called  cassandra  because  of  its  being  found  on  the 
island  of  Cassan. — Cliamb.  Cyc. 

CASSERIAN.  The  name  given  to  a  semi-lunar  ganglion 
formed  by  the  fifth  nerve,  and  immediately  dividing  into  the 
ophthalmic,  superior  maxillary,  and  inferior  maxillary  nerves  ; 
named  after  Julius  Casserius,  of  Padua. 

CASSIANISM.  Sometimes  used  for  Semi-pelagianism ;  the 
tenets  of  Cassian,  a  teacher  of  Gaul  towards  the  close  of  the 
fifth  century. 

CASSIOPEIA.  One  of  the  forty-eight  old  constellations 
near  Cepheus,  not  far  from  the  North  Pole  ;  so  named  from 
Cassiopeia,  who,  with  her  husband  Cepheus,  was  fabled  by  the 
Greeks  as  placed  among  the  constellations  to  witness  the 
punishment  inflicted  on  their  daughter  Andromeda. 

CASSIUS.  A  purple  colour  obtained  from  the  chloride  of 
gold  by  means   of  tin,  much   valued    for  the  beautiful  colour 


42  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

which  it  gives  to  glass  or  enamel  ;  named  from  the  discoverer, 
M.  Cassius. 

CASTANEA.  The  chestnut  ;  a  genus  of  plants,  trees, 
nat.  or.  Polyandria ;  so  called  from  Castauea,  a  town  of 
Thessaly,  whence  it  was  brought.     See  Chestnut. 

CASTANET.  An  instrument  composed  of  concave  shells 
of  ivory  or  hard  wood  ;  used  by  the  Spaniards,  &c.,  as  an 
accompaniment  to  their  dances;  from  Sp.  castaneta,  from  cas- 
taha,  a  chestnut,  from  the  resemblance  to  two  chestnuts.  See 
Chestnut. 

CATESBQ5A.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which 
are  ornamental  shrubs  ;  called  after  Mr.  Catesby,  author  of 
the  Natural  History  of  Carolina. —  Crahh. 

CATILINISM.  Conspiracy  ;  the  practices  of  Catiline,  the 
Roman  conspirator.      See  Webster. 

CATONIAN.  Grave,  severe,  inflexible  ;  pertaining  to  or 
resembling  Cato,  the  Roman,  who  was  remarkable  for  his 
severity  of  manner.     See  Bailey  and  Webster. 

CAUDEBEC.  A  hat  made  of  lamb's  wool,  down  of  os- 
triches, or  camel's  hair,  worn  in  England  about  the  year  1700  ; 
named  from  Caudebec,  in  Normandy,  which,  prior  to  the  Pro- 
testant emigration  after  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes, 
was  famed  for  the  manufacture  of  this  kind  of  hat. 

CAULINIA.  A  genus  of  endogenous  aquatic  plants  named 
in  honour  of  Don  Filippo  Cavolini,  a  Neapolitan  naturalist, 
author  of  several  botanical  works. 

CAUZERANITE.  A  crystallised  mineral  of  a  black  or 
dark  blue  colour,  found  at  Cauzeran,  in  the  Pyrenees. 

CAVOLINITE.  A  variety  of  nepheline,  a  mineral  occurring 
in  glassy  crystals,  &c.  ;  named  after  Cavolini,  a  Neapolitan 
naturalist. 

CAYENNE.  A  very  pungent  pepper  prepared  from 
several  species  of  capsicum,  but  especially  the  capsicum  mini- 
mum ;  so  called  because  originally  imported  from  Cayenne, 
capital  of  French  Guiana,  on  N.E.  coast  of  South  America. 

CECROPIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Urticacece,  one 
species  of  which  is  the  trumpet-tree  or  snake-wood,  a  native 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  43 

of  Jamaica  ;  called  after  Cecrops,  king  of  Athens,  whose  legs 
were  fabled  to  be  snakes. 

CELLARIUS.  A  dance  introduced  by  the  celebrated 
French  professor  of  the  same  name. 

CELSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Scrophulariacece, 
called  after  Dr.  Celsius,  professor  of  Oriental  languages  in  the 
University  of  Upsal. 

CENTAUREA.  A  herb  named  after  Chiron,  the  Centaur, 
who  was  healed  by  it.  The  name  is  now  applied  to  a  genus  of 
plants,  nat.  or.  CompositcB. 

CEPHEUS.  A  constellation  in  the  northern  hemisphere, 
fabled  by  the  Greeks  to  represent  Cepheus,  husband  of  Cassio- 
peia, and  father  of  Andromeda. 

CEREAL.  Pertaining  to  edible  grain,  as  wheat,  rye,  &c.; 
from  Ceres,  goddess  of  corn. 

CEREMONY.  Outward  rite  ;  external  form  in  religion  ; 
forms  of  civility  ;  rules  established  by  custom  for  regulating 
social  intercourse  ;  outward  forms  of  state  ;  from  L.  ceremonia 
for  cceremonia  or  cmrimonia,  literally  sacredness,  sanctity,  awe, 
reverence,  veneration  of  the  Deity ;  then  a  religious  action  or 
usage,  a  sacred  rite,  religious  ceremony;  supposed  to  be  from 
Caere  or  Ccerete  (anc.  Agylla,  now  Cervetere),  a  town  of 
Etruria  which  stood  in  a  very  ancient  religious  connection  with 
Rome  ;  hence  the  Romans  in  their  Gallic  war  carried  their 
sacred  relics  there.  (See  Val.  Max.  I.  1,  No.  10  ;  Fest.  34. 
Cf.  Nieb.  Rom.  Gesch.  I.  428.)  Others  derive  the  Latin 
word  from  the  goddess  Ceres,  or  from  ceinis,  which,  according 
to  Scaliger,  was  anciently  used  for  "  holy." 

CERES.  One  of  the  asteroids  revolving  between  the  orbits 
of  Mars  and  Jupiter,  discovered  byPiazzi  at  Palermo  in  1801  ; 
named  from  Ceres. 

CERITE.     The  siliceous  oxide  of  cerium,  q.v. 

CERIUM.  A  metal  of  great  specific  gravity  discovered  in 
Sweden,  in  cerite  ;   named  from  the  planet  Ceres. 

CERVANTITE.  A  mineral  ;  colour  Isabella  yellow, 
sulphur  yellow,  or  nearly  white ;  found  with  grey  antimony, 
and  resulting  from  its  alteration,  atCerva)ites,  inGalicia,  Spain; 


44  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Cliazelles,  in  Auvergne  ;  aad  Felsobanya,  Kremnitz,  and  else- 
where in  Hungary. 

CESARE.  In  logic,  a  syllogism  in  the  second  figure, 
consisting  of  a  universal  affirmative  between  two  universal 
negatives  ;  probably  from  CcBsar. 

CESAREAN.  The  Cesarean  operation  is  the  taking  of  a 
child  from  the  womb  by  cutting  ;  an  operation  which,  it  is 
said,  gave  birth  to  Cajsar,  the  Roman  emperor. 

CESAREWITCH  or  CZAREWITCH.  The  name  of  a 
stake  run  for  at  Newmarket.  It  was  called  in  honour  of  the 
eldest  son  of  the  Czar,  whose  title  is  Czarewitch,  i.e.  son  of  the 
Czar,  in  token  of  his  gift  of  the  500-guinea  gold  cup  called  the 
"  Emperor's  Cup,"  run  for  at  Ascot,  which,  however,  since  the 
Crimean  War,  has  been  withdrawn. 

CEYLANITE.  A  mineral  classed  with  the  ruby  family,  and 
called  also  pleonaste.  It  is  the  Scorbus  genuinus  of  Linnaeus,  and 
is  chiefly  found  in  the  sand  of  the  rivers  of  Ceylon,  from  which 
island  it  derives  its  name. 

CHABLIS.  A  celebrated  white  wine  made  at  Chablis,  a 
town  of  France  (Yonne),  in  the  midst  of  vineyards. 

CHAILLETIA.  A  genus  of  shrubs,  type  of  nat.  or. 
Chailletiacece  ;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Chaillet. 

CHALCEDONY.  An  uncrystallised  translucent  variety  of 
quartz,  having  a  whitish  colour,  found  in  a  variety  of  trap 
rock.  The  word  is  derived  from  Clialcedon,  a  town  of  Asia 
Minor,  opposite  to  Byzantium,  where  it  was  first  found. 

CHALLIS.  A  fine  printed  soft  woollen  fabric  used  for 
ladies'  dresses ;  from  ChoUet,  in  France,  dep.  Maine-et-Loire. 

CHALYBEATE.  Any  wafer  or  other  liquor  into  which  iron 
enters.  As  an  adjective  the  word  means  impregnated  with  parti- 
cles of  iron;  from  L.  chalyhs,  Gr.  p^aXt;^/,  steel;  so  named  from  the 
Chalybes  (or,  as  some  say,  Chalybs,  their  city),  a  people  on  the 
Black  Sea,  near  Thermodon,  in  Pontus,  and  perhaps  partly  in 
Paphlagonia,  in  whose  country  very  good  iron  was  found,  and 
who  are  said  to  have  possessed  the  art  of  making  iron  or  steel, 
and  also  the  fahrica  (eraria.  (Cf.  Plin,  H.  N.  VI.  4,  s.  4;  and 
VIL  56  ante  mcd.  s.  57;  I.  9.  med.;  Virg.  Geo.  1.58.)  Chalybs 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  45 

(;:^aAyr|/)    was    the  name  of   a   river  of  Spain,   on  which  the 
Chalybes  dwelt.    (Cf.  Just.  xliv.  3.) 

CHAMBERTIN.  A  fine  red  wine  from  Chambertin,  a 
celebrated  coteau  in  France,  dep.  Cote-d'Or. 

CHAMOISITE.  A  mineral,  considered  to  be  a  mixture  of 
magnetic  iron  and  a  hydrous  silicate  of  alumina,  dug  from 
Mount  Chamoisin,  in  the  Valais,  Switzerland, 

CHAMPAG-NE.  The  wine  so  called  ;  from  Champagne, 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  of  the  former  provinces 
of  France.  That  consumed  in  England  is  principally  made 
from  gooseberries. 

CHAMPA WK.  The  Michadia  champaca,  a  tree  held  in 
great  religious  veneration  by  the  Hindoos.  It  is  distinguished 
by  large  deep-yellow  flowers,  which  during  the  day  are  sweet- 
scented,  but  have  at  night  an  exceedingly  disagreeable  odour. 
It  has  its  name  from  Champaca,  a  small  island  of  Cochin 
China,  of  which  it  is  a  native. 

CHAMPIGNY.  A  red  wine,  from  a  place  of  the  same 
name  in  France. 

CHAMPOLLIONIST.  A  follower  of  Champollion  the 
Younger  in  respect  to  Egyptian  hieroglyphics  {Webster).  Jean 
Francois  Champollion,  the  celebrated  savant,  was  born  at  Figeac, 
Lot,  in  1791,  and  died  in  1832. 

CHANDELI.  A  very  fine  species  of  cotton  fabric  of  so 
costly  a  description  as  to  be  used  in  native  courts  only  [Elliott)  ; 
from  Chandel  or  Chanderi,  properly  Chandhairee,  a  town  of 
Malwa,  India. 

CHANTILLY.  A  fine  rich  hand-made  lace,  which,  from 
its  price,  can  only  be  worn  by  the  wealthy ;  from  a  place  of 
the  same  name  in  France. 

CHAPTALIA.  A  species  of  plants,  answering  to  the 
Liiinasan  genus  Perdicium;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Chaptal. 

CHARADE.  A  sort  of  riddle,  usually  in  verse,  the  subject 
of  which  is  a  word  of  one  or  more  syllables.  It  is  said  to  have 
had  its  name  from  its  inventor.  Charadrus  (Jiodie  Keyrimios 
Potamos)  is  the  name  of  a  river,  on  the  left  bank  of  which 
stood  Marathon.  The  word,  however,  is  not  probably  of  very 
ancient  origin. 


46  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

CHARLEY.  A  small  patch  of  hair,  sometimes  called  a 
door-mat,  immediately  under  the  upper  lip;  named  after  Charles 
(I.  or  II.  ?) A  familiar  name  anciently  applied  to  ward- 
beadles,  street-keepers,  and  other  drowsy  functionaries. 

CHARLOTTE.  In  the  culinary  art,  a  sweet  dish,  probably 
named  from  the  maker.  In  French  cookery  the  term  is  of 
frequent  use;  as  Charlotte  depommes  aux  confitures;  Charlotte 
de  poires  a  la  vanille  ;  Charlotte  d'abricots ;  Charlotte  de 
peches  ;  Charlotte  a  ITtalienne  ;  Charlotte  Russe. 

CHASALIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Monogynia, 
natives  of  the  Mauritius  ;  named  in  honour  of  D.  Chasal. 

CHATEAU  MARGAUX.  One  of  the  four  superior  sorts 
of  wine  called  Bordeaux  ;  produced  at  the  celebrated  vineyard 
of  the  same  name,  dep.  Gironde,  Haut-Medoc.  So  progressive 
is  the  present  age  that  this  wine,  like  that  called  Lafitte,  may 
be  had  at  nearly  all  the  hotels  in  Europe,  although  only  750 
hectolitres  of  the  first,  and  200  of  the  second  quality,  are  made 
annually. 

CHATHAM.  A  moiety  of  the  duty  payable  by  foreign- 
built  ships,  and  applied  to  the  chest  at  Chatham.  Chatham 
Chest  was  established  for  the  relief  of  English  mariners 
wounded  or  superannuated  in  their  country's  service. — Crahh. 

CHEDDAR.  A  celebrated  cheese  made  at  Cheddar, 
Somerset. 

CHELMSFORDITE.  A  siliceous  mineral,  found  usually 
associated  with  quartz,  mica,  and  apatite  ;  occurring  at  Chelms- 
ford, Mass.,  U.S. 

CHERLERIA.  A  genus  of  plants  usually  growing  in 
moist  places  near  the  summits  of  high  mountains  ;  named  in 
honour  of  John  Henry  Cherler,  son-in-law  and  fellow-labourer 
of  the  botanist  John  Bauhin. 

CHERRY  (anc.  ciris,  L.  cerasus,  Gr.  xspa-cnov).  The  fruit 
of  the  Prumis  cerasus.  It  is  said  to  derive  its  name  from 
Cerasus,  a  city  of  Pontus,  near  the  Euxine,  whence  it  was 
bi'ought  by  Lucullus,  a.r.  680,  after  the  defeat  of  Mithridates  ; 
and  to  have  been  introduced  into  England  by  the  Romans 
about  120  years  afterwards,  a.d.  55.     Pliny,  lib.  xviii.  ch.  23. 


VERBA    NOMINALTA.  47 

"  Cerasi,  ante  victoriam  Mithridaticam  L.  LucuUi  non  fuerc  in 
Italia.  Ad  urbis  annum  mclxxx  is  primiim  vexit  a  Ponto  : 
annisque  120  trans  oceanum  in  Britanniam  usque  pervenire 
eadem,  ut  diximus  in  ^gypto  non  potuere  gigni."  Ac- 
cording to  others  the  cherry-tree  was  known  to  the  Greeks 
long  before  the  time  of  Lucullus  ;  and  Cerasus  (-Kspacrovg)  itself 
may  have  had  its  name  from  the  number  of  cherry-trees 
growing  there.  Menage  says  it  is  not  true  that  this  fruit  was 
called  from  the  town  of  Cerasus,  and  that  it  is  the  reverse,  as 
has  been  very  truly  remarked  by  Casaubon ;  and  that  Theo- 
phrastus,  a  more  ancient  author  than  Diphilus,  mentions  the 
cherry  in  his  History  of  Plants,  lib.  3,  ch.  13.  After  quoting  Ser- 
vius  ("  Cerasus  civitas  est  Ponti,  quani  cum  delesset  Lucullus, 
genus  hoc  pomi  inde  advexit,  et  a  civitate  cerasum  appellavit. 
Nam  arbor  cerasus  pomum,  cerasum  dicitur.  Hoc  autem 
etiam  ante  Lucullum  erat  in  Italia,  sed  durum,  et  cornum  ap- 
pellabatur :  quod  postea  mixto  nomine  cornocerosum  dictum 
est  ")  Menage  adds,  "  Ce  qui  donne  sujet  de  croire  que  Kspatrog 
a  ete  fait  de  v-spag  [a  horn],  et  que  les  cerises  ont  ete  appelees 
y.spa<Ta,  de  leur  ressemblance  au  fruit  du  cornuiller ;  Kspccg, 
■Kspa.'tog,  xspao;,  Kspacrog.'^ 

CHESNEIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  the  papilionaceous 
family,  including  only  one  species  ;  discovered  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Euphrates ;  "  said  to  have  been  named  after  Lord 
Chesney." 

CHESTERFIELD.  A  coat  named  after  Lord  Chesterfield, 
a  nobleman  of  the  present  day. 

CHESTERLITE.  A  mineral  found  at  Chester,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

CHESTNUT  or  CHESNUT  (A.S.  cisten-beam,  L.  nux  cas- 
tanea,  or  simply  castanea  ;  castanea  sc.  arbor  the  tree;  Gr. 
Koca-rocvov,  Koca-raycc).  The  fruit,  seed,  or  nut  of  a  tree  be- 
longing to  the  genus  Castanea;  nat.  or.  Corylacece.  Some 
derive  the  word  from  the  W.  cast,  envelopment,  from  its  shell 
or  cover  ;  but  it  is  more  correctly  from  Castana,  Castana'a,  or 
Casthancea;  Herod.  Kaa-Qocvaicc,  or  Kao-Qavairj,  a  town  of  Mag- 
nesia, in  Thessaly,  which  abounded  with  chestnut  trees. 


48  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

CHIC.  A  term  in  very  general  use  in  France  to  express  a 
high  degree  of  perfection  in  works  of  art,  &c.  The  Figaro- 
Programme  gives  the  following  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
word: — "  The  celebrated  painter  David,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  gave  lessons  to  young  artists,  and  was  paid 
high  prices  ;  but  when  a  pupil,  the  son  of  poor  parents,  showed 
proofs  of  unusual  talent,  the  painter  willingly  gave  his  lessons 
gratis.  One  of  his  pupils  named  Chicque,  the  son  of  a 
fruiterer,  displayed  so  much  talent  in  his  studies  in  oil-painting, 
that  he  became  a  special  favourite,  and  David  always  expressed 
his  conviction  that  the  lad  would  become  an  eminent  artist,  and 
do  honour  to  his  school.  To  David's  great  grief,  Chicque  died 
at  the  age  of  eighteen.  From  that  time  the  great  painter  was 
in  the  habit  of  saying  of  a  bad  study,  '  Chicque  would  not 
have  done  like  that ;'  or  of  a  good  one,  '  This  reminds  one  of 
Chicque.'  The  word  thus  became  among  his  pupils  a  general 
term  for  excellence,  and,  being  constantly  used  by  them  in  places 
of  public  resort,  it  gradually  passed  into  the  popular  vocabu- 
lary, and  was  adopted  by  writers,  who  suppressed  the  last 
syllable,  and  spelt  it  chic."     See  Galignani,  15  Aug.  1864. 

CHILDRENITE.  A  mineral,  according  to  Wollaston,  con- 
sisting of  alumina,  red  oxide  of  iron,  phosphoric  acid,  and 
water  ;  named  in  honour  of  Mr.  Children. 

CHILONIAN,  CHILONIC.  Brief,  compendious,  as  a 
Chilonic  style  ;  so  called  from  Chilo,  one  of  the  Seven  Wise 
Men  of  Greece,  whose  sentences  were  very  short  and  pithy, — 
Bailey. 

CHINA.  A  species  of  earthemvare  originally  made  in 
China. 

CHINSURAH.  A  vile  cigar  made  at  Chinsurah,  near 
Calcutta. 

CHIVIATITE.  A  mineral,  colour  lead-grey,  resembling 
bismuth-glance  ;  from  Chiviato,  in  Peru. 

CHOMELIA.  A  genus  of  American  shrubs,  named  in 
honour  of  Dr.  Chomel,  physician  to  Louis  XV. 

CHRISTEN.  To  baptise  and  name  ;  to  initiate  into  the 
visible  church  of  Christ  by  the  application  of  water. 

CHRISTIAN.     A  believer  in  the  religion  of  Christ. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  49 

CHRISTIAN  D'OR.  A  gold  coin  current  in  Denmark  for 
16s.  6d.  sterling  ;  named  from  a  monarch  of  the  country. 

CHRISTIANITY.  The  religion  of  Christians,  or  the 
system  of  doctrines  and  precepts  taught  by  Christ,  and  re- 
corded by  the  evangelists  and  apostles. 

CHRISTMAS.  The  festival  of  the  Christian  church  ;  so 
named  in  memory  of  the  birth  of  Christ. 

CHRIST'S  THORN.  A  thorny  plant  that  flourishes  about 
Christmas.  According  to  some,  it  is  of  the  same  sort  as  that  of 
which  the  crovrn  of  thorns  vv^as  made. 

CHURRIGUERESQUE.  In  the  style  of  Joseph  Chur- 
riguera,  w^ho  vras  born  at  Salamanca  about  1660.  Mr.  Ford 
says  he  is  the  heresiarch  of  bad  taste,  and  his  name  is  synony- 
mous with  absurdity  in  brick  and  mortar. 

CHUTNEY  or  CHUTNEE.  A  condiment  or  pickle  made 
in  India,  compounded  of  sweets  and  acids,  of  which  there  are 
several  local  kinds  ;  Bengal  chutney,  sweet  chutney,  green 
mango  chutney,  &c.  It  is  much  eaten  in  the  East  with  curries, 
stews,  &c. ;  and  it  may  have  had  its  name  from  Chatna  a  town  of 
Nepal,  or  Chatna  in  Bengal.  There  is  likewise  Chutnahulli 
in  Mysore,  and  the  village  of  Chuttanuttee  on  the  Hoogly, 
one  of  the  earliest  possessions  of  the  British  in  India. 

CICELY.  A  plant,  a  species  of  choerophyllum  ;  from  the 
Christian  name  Cecilia. 

CICERONE.  A  guide ;  one  who  points  out  to  travellers 
the  curiosities  of  a  place,  especially  in  Italy.  "  They  are  said 
to  be  so  named  from  their  indiscriminately  calling  every  statue 
or  picture  Cicero  when  they  do  not  know  whom  it  represents." 

CICERONIANISM.  Imitation  or  resemblance  of  the 
style  or  action  of  Cicero. — Webster. 

CIMOLITE.  A  species  of  clay  of  a  white  colour  used  by 
the  ancients  as  a  remedy  for  erysipelas  and  other  inflammations. 
It  is  now  used  in  removing  spots  from  cloth.  One  species,  of 
a  purple  colour,  is  the  steatite  or  soap-rock  ;  and  from  another, 
found  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  tobacco-pipes  are  made.  L.  cimolia, 
Gr.  Ki[j.oKia, ;  said  to  be  so  called  from  Cimolus  (now  Argentiera), 
an  isle  in  the  Cretan  Sea. — Pliny,  lib.  xxxv.  17. 

CINCHONA.      A  genus  of  plants,  nat.   or.  CinchonacecB, 


50  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

growing  in  the  hilly  parts  of  Peru  ;  so  called  from  the  Countess 
Cinchon,  vice-queen  of  Peru,  who  was  cured  of  a  fever  by  it, 
A.D.  1638.     See  Quinine. 

CIRCASSIAN.     A  kind  of  woollen  cloth  from  Circassia. 

CmC^A.  A  genus  of  plants  called  after  Circe,  the  en- 
chantress of  the  Greeks ;  the  fruit,  which  is  covered  with 
hooked  prickles,  laying  hold  of  the  clothes  of  passengers,  as 
Circe  is  said  to  have  laid  hold  on  persons  by  her  enchant- 
ments.—  Crahb. 

CLARENCE.  A  kind  of  carriage  ;  a  cross  between  a  com- 
mon carriage  and  a  britzska,  named  after  the  late  Duke  of 
Clarence  (William  IV.) 

CLARENCEUX  or  CLARENCIEUX.  In  Great  Britain, 
the  second  king-at-arms,  whose  office  is  to  marshal  the  funerals 
of  all  knights  and  esquires  on  the  south  of  the  Trent.  He 
was  appointed  by  Edward  IV.,  and  named  from  the  Duke  of 
Clarence. — Eneyc.  and  Bailey. 

CLAUSTHALITE.  Native  seleniuret  of  lead,  having  a 
lead-grey  colour  (^Dana)  ;  from  Klausthal,  the  chief  mining 
town  of  the  Harz. 

CLAYTONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Pontulacacece; 
called  after  J.  Clayton,  a  collector  of  plants  in  Virginia. 

CLEAVELANDITE.  A  mineral,  called  also  siliceous  felspar 
or  albite ;  named  after  Professor  Cleaveland. 

CLEMENTINES.  A  portion  of  the  canon  law,  consisting 
of  decretals  or  constitutions  of  Pope  Clement  V. 

CLIFFORTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Rosacece ; 
named  in  honour  of  G.  Cliffort,  of  Amsterdam,  a  patron  of 
Linnseus. —  Crabb. 

CLINTONITE.  A  mineral  ;  colour  reddish-brown,  yel- 
lowish, copper-red  ;  named  by  Messrs.  Fitch,  Mather,  and 
Horton  in  honour  of  the  Hon.  de  Witt  Clinton. 

CLIONID^.  The  Clio  tribe,  a  family  of  marine  mol- 
lusca  ;  the  first  order  of  Cuvier's  peteropods  ;  named  from 
Cleio,  the  muse  who  presided  over  history. 

CLIQUOT.  A  celebrated  champagne,  much  patronised  by 
the  late  King  of  Prussia  ;  named  from  Madame  Cliquot,  one 
of  the  largest  producers  in  France. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  51 

CLUSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Qultiferce ;  called 
after  C.  de  rEcluse,  a  celebrated  botanist  of  Artois. 

CLUYTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Euplwrhiacece ; 
called  after  Professor  Cluyt,  of  Leyden. 

COACH  (Fr.  coche,  Armor,  coich.  It.  cocchio,  Sp.  and  Port. 
coche,  D.  koets,  G.  kutsche,  Pol.  kocz).  The  vehicle  so  named. 
Menage  derives  the  word  from  vehiculum  ;  Tunius  from  oy^zoo, 
to  carry ;  Wachter  from  G.  hutten,  to  cover ;  Lye  from  Belg. 
koetsen,  to  lie  along,  it  signifying  properly  a  coach  or  chair. 
Webster  says  the  word  seems  to  be  radically  a  couch  or  bed 
(Fr.  couche,  coucher,  a  covered  bed  on  wheels  for  carrying  the 
infirm).  Bescherelle  says  from  Fr.  coche,  It.  coccio,  in  Turc. 
kochi,  char,  carrosse.  Minshew  derives  the  word  from  Hunga- 
rian kotczij,  Teut.  kotzen,  kutzche,  a  verbo  Hungarico  kotczy,  idem, 
quod  in  Hungaria  hoc  curriculi  genus  (teste  historia  Hungarica) 
primiim  inuentum  fuerit.  Nicolas  Berga  (Liv.  des  Grands 
Chemins,  ch.  10,  liv.  iv.)  considers  coche  to  be  from  the  Hun- 
garian, the  invention  having  come  from  Hungary.  Rees  says 
some  endeavour  to  prove  that  the  word  is  of  Hungarian  origin, 
and  that  this  carriage  was  first  invented  at  Kitsee  (formerly 
Kotsee  or  Cotzo),  prov.  Weiselburg ;  and  that,  however  this 
may  be,  it  is  certain  that  in  the  sixteenth  century,  or  even 
at  an  earlier  period,  a  kind  of  covered  carriages  was  known 
under  the  name  of  Hungarian  carriages.  Johnston  {Gaz.) 
gives  Kitsee  as  a  frontier  town  of  W.  Hungary,  co.  Weisel- 
burg, five  miles  S.S.W.  of  Presburg. 

COAN.  A  term  frequently  applied  to  Hippocrates,  or  any- 
thing relating  to  him  or  his  writings ;  lit.  pertaining  to,  or  a 
native  of  the  isle  of  Cos,  in  the  Grecian  Archipelago,  where 
he  was  born. 

COBjEA.  An  elegant  climber,  flowers  at  first  green,  a 
native  of  Mexico,  where  it  is  called  2/ed7'a  morada,  or  violet 
ivy;  named  by  Cavanilles  in  memory  of  Father  Barnabas  Cobo, 
a  Jesuit,  who,  after  living  forty -five  years  in  N.  and  S.  America, 
composed  a  natural  history  of  the  world,  still  extant,  but  never 
published. 

COBALT.  A  metal  found  chiefly  in  combination  with 
arsenic,   as  arsenical  cobalt ;  or  with  sulphur  and  arsenic,  as 

E  2 


52  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

grey  cobalt  ore  ;  named  from  Cobalus,  the  demon  of  mines,  who 
is  said  to  have  obstructed  and  destroyed  the  miners.  "  The 
ores  of  cobalt,  being  at  first  mysterious  and  intractable,  received 
their  name  from  this  personage."  For  many  years  cobalt  vras 
found  in  such  abundance  in  the  mines  in  Saxony  that  it  was 
neglected  and  thrown  aside  as  useless.  In  some  of  the  copper 
mines  (according  to  Parkes)  it  was  so  abundant  that  "  a  prayer 
was  offered  to  God  in  the  German  churches  that  he  would 
preserve  the  miners  from  cobalt-kobolds,  and  other  spirits." 

COBURG.     A   species   of    cheap   twilled   stuff,    used    for 

making  ladies'  dresses;  named  from  Coburg,  in  Germany. 

A  round  loaf  of  bread. 

COCHIN  CHINA.  A  larger  sort  of  fowl  brought  from 
Cochin  China,  in  Eastern  Asia. 

COCKNEY.  A  native  of  London,  by  way  of  contempt  ; 
in  Shakspeare,  an  effeminate,  ignorant,  despicable  citizen. 
Ellis  derives  it  from  coquina,  the  kitchen.  Webster  says, 
"  most  probably  from  L.  coquina,  a  kitchen,  or  coquino,  to  cook  ; 
Fr.  coquin,  idle ;  coeagne,  It.  cuccagna,  an  imaginary  country 
of  idleness  and  luxury.  In  some  ancient  poetry  the  word  sepms 
to  signify  a  cook: 

"  And  yet  I  say,  by  my  soul,  I  have  no  salt  bacon, 
Ne  no  coJieney,  by  Christe,  coloppes  to  make." 

"  At  that  feast  were  they  served  in  rich  array, 
Every  five  and  five  had  a  cokeney." 

(See  note  on  Chaucer's  Canterbury  Tales,  line  4206,  Edin.  1782.) 

Some  say  the  country  people  gave  the  Londoners  this  nickname 
because  they  considered  them  ignorant  of  everything  out  of 
London  ;  that  they  were  as  likely  to  say  "  a  cock  neighs  "  as  "  a 
cock  crows."  According  to  others,  it  had  its  origin  in  some 
Londoner  having  on  a  certain  occasion  spoken  of  a  "  cock  that 
neighed."  Casaubon  derives  it  from  Gr.  oiKoyBvyjs,  one  born 
and  bred  at  home.  Huloet  explains  "  to  play  the  cockney  "  to 
play  the  fool.  Barret  (in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth)  defines  a  cockney 
"  a  child  tenderly  brought  up  ;  a  darling."  Dicker,  a  writer 
contemporary  with  Barret,  derives  it  from  cocker  or  cock. 
The  French  used  pais  de  Cocaigne  for  a  country  of  dandies. 
Paris  est  pour  un  riche  un  pais  de  Cocaigne  {Boileau).     It 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  53 

seems  that  the  word  is  very  ancient,  being  mentioned  in  an  old 
Norman-Saxon  poem,  where  it  is  spelt  Cocayng.  Pegge  derives 
it  from  old  Fr.  coqueliner,  to  couple,  part,  coqueline ;  whence,  by 
dropping  the  penultimate,  coquene.  Cotgrave  renders  coquine 
"a  beggar-woman  ;  also  a  cockney,  simper-de-cockit,  nice  thing; 
dandled,  pampered,  made  a  wanton  of."  Todd  says  the  cita- 
tion of  Camden  {Britannia) — 

"  Were  I  in  my  castle  of  Bungey, 
Upon  the  river  of  Waveney, 
I  would  ne  care  for  the  king  of  Cockeney  " — 

shows  that  London  was  known  by  this  name  ;  hence  a  cockney 
may  be  assumed  for  a  Londoner  ;  and  after  all  there  is  most 
reason  to  believe  that  this  contemptuous  expression  originates 
in  that  imaginary  region  of  luxury  and  idleness  formerly  called 
Cocaigne,  or  Plenty,  as  in  the  poem  cited  by  Hickes — that 
probably  the  festival  of  the  Cocagna  at  Naples  may  have  sug- 
gested the  poem  as  well  as  the  word  (See  Keysler's  Trav.  vol.  ii. 
309).  Hobbes,  in  allusion  to  the  old  poem,  has  "  the  land  of 
Cockany,  where  fowls  ready  roasted  cry,  'Come  and  eat  me;'  for, 
among  the  delicacies  of  this  happy  country,  ready-roasted  geese 
fly  into  the  house  exclaiming  '  All  hot  !  all  hot  !'  " 

CODRINGTON.      Formerly   a  coat;    named  after  one   of 
the  celebrated  family  of  the  same  name  (admiral  ?) 

COFFEE.     The  berry  of  a  tree  of  the  genus  Coffea,  grow- 
ing in  Arabia,  Persia,  and  in  other  warm  climates  of  Asia  and 

America. A  drink  made  from  the  berry  of  the  coffee-tree. 

It  had  its  name  from  Kafa,  a  country  of  E.  Africa,  S.  of 
Abyssinia,  prov.  Narea,  and  within  or  on  the  borders  of  which 
are  the  sources  of  the  Bahr-el-Abiad,  or  of  its  chief  tribu- 
taries ;  of  which  country  it  is  a  native,  and  where  it  grows 
spontaneously  in  great  abundance.  Indeed,  a  very  large  pro- 
portion of  the  coffee  now  exported  from  Mocha  arrives  in  that 
market  from  the  N.  frontier  of  Kafa,  and  the  S.  part  of  Enarea. 
Miller  {Gard.Dict.')  says  it  is  the  wood  of  the  country,  produced 
spontaneously  everywhere  in  great  abundance  from  Caffa  (Kafe) 
to  the  banks  of  the  Nile.  The  foot  of  the  mountains,  or  edge 
of  the  marshes  nearest  Narea,  is  thick  overgrown  with  coffee- 
trees,  which,  if  not  the  only,  is  the  largest  tree  grown  here.    (Cf. 


54  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Bruce,  Abyss,  vol.  ii.  226,  313).  It  is  said  to  have  been  in- 
troduced into  Aden,  in  Arabia,  from  Persia,  by  Gemaleddin, 
about  the  fifteenth  century  ;  not  long  after,  it  reached 
Mecca,  Medina,  &c.,  and  Grand  Cairo.  Hence  it  continued  its 
progress  to  Damascus  and  Aleppo,  and  in  1554  became  known 
at  Constantinople,  being  introduced  there  by  two  persons  of  the 
name  of  Shems  and  Hekim,  one  from  Damascus,  the  other 
from  Aleppo.  Each  of  these  men  had  a  public  coffee-house  in 
that  city.  It  was  known  at  Marseilles  in  1664,  was  intro- 
duced into  London  in  1652,  and  at  Paris  in  1657.  Notwith- 
standing the  progressive  age  in  which  we  live,  the  berry  may 
still  be  purchased  in  England ;  but  as  a  beverage  pure  coffee 
is  little  known.  The  Turcic  has  kahvet ;  also  kaJive,  coffee, 
wine ;  the  Arabic  CDj^  hahwat,  wine,  coffee,  or  a  decoction  of 
berries  called  hum,  which  gives  an  appetite.  The  Egyptians 
call  it  eleave. 

COG-NAC.  The  best  kind  of  brandy  ;  named  from  Cognac, 
in  France,  dep.  Charente,  where,  and  in  the  surrounding- 
district,  it  is  made.  The  quantity  produced  annually  does  not 
exceed  6000  butts,  but  the  number  sold  under  the  name  of  Les 
fines  Champagnes,  by  which  the  best  quality  is  distinguished, 
exceeds  15,000  butts.  It  sometimes  finds  its  way  into  England, 
but  the  mixture  usually  called  cognac  is  British  brandy,  first 
exported  to  France,  and  thence  returned  in  Cognac  casks. 

COHOEN  or  COEHORN  (G.  cohorner,  Fr.  mortier  a  la 
Coehoni).  A  small  mortar  or  piece  of  ordnance  so  called,  and 
used  in  fortified  places  ;  also  a  particular  style  of  fortification  ; 
invented  by  Cohorn  or  Coehorn,  a  celebrated  Dutch  engineer, 
and  one  of  the  ablest  fortifiers.  He  was  born  in  1641,  and 
died  at  Liege  in  1704.  At  Namur,  which  was  besieged  by 
Vauban  and  defended  by  Cohorn,  there  is  still  a  fort  named  in 
honour  of  the  latter. 

COLARES.     A  celebrated  wine  from  Colares,  in  Portugal. 

COLBERTINE  or  COLBERTEEN.  A  kind  of  lace  with 
a  square  and  coarse  ground,  formerly  worn  by  ladies  ;  much 
used  for  rufiles  fifty  years  since.  The  word  is  probably  derived 
from  the  maker,  Colbert,  or  may  have  been  named  in  honour  of 
Jean  Baptiste  Colbert,  minister  of  finance  under  Mazarin. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  55 

COLCHICINE.  A  vegetable  alkaloid  obtained  from  col- 
chicum,  q.v. 

COLCHICUM.  A  medicine  used  as  a  remedy  for  the  gout 
and  rheumatism,  prepared  from  the  bulbs  of  the  Colchicum  au- 
tumnale.  It  is  supposed  to  have  its  name  from  Colchis,  a 
country  of  Asia,  extending  along  the  eastern  shore  of  the 
Euxine,  where  it  is  said  to  have  grown  in  great  abundance. 
Cf.  Linn.  Gen.  457;  Schreb.  621  ;  Goert.  81  ;  Juss.  47,  and 
Rees's  Cyc. 

COLDENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of  which 
is  the  C.  procwnbens,  a  native  of  India ;  named  in  honour  of 
C.  Golden,  the  American  botanist. 

COLDSTREAM.  The  appellation  of  a  regiment  of  guards, 
so  called  from  the  town  of  Coldstream,  co.  Berwick,  on  the  N. 
side  of  the  Tweed,  where  it  was  raised  by  General  Monk.  It 
was  with  this  regiment  that  Monk  marched  into  England  to 
restore  Charles  II. 

COLIN.  A  name  given  by  BufFon  to  the  Mexican  quail,  a 
bird  of  the  partridge  kind  found  in  America  and  the  W. 
Indies  ;  from  the  Christian  and  surname  Colin,  i.e.  Nicolin. 

COLLINSONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Labiatce ; 
called  after  P.  Collinson,  F.R.S.,  a  distinguished  botanist. 

COLMAR.  A  pear,  named  from  Colmar,  in  France,  dep. 
Haut-Rhin,  where  it  is  raised.  It  is  also  called  poire  manne, 
bergamotte  tardive. 

COLOPHON.  An  inscription  on  the  last  page  of  a  book, 
before  title-pages  were  used,  containing  the  place  or  year,  or 
both,  of  its  publication,  the  printer's  name,  &c. ;  so  named  from 
a  Greek  proverb  respecting  the  people  of  Colophon,  that  they 
always  came  hindermost. — Brande,  Wart  on. 

COLOPHONITE.  A  variety  of  garnet  of  a  resinous  frac- 
ture, occurring  in  small,  amorphous  granular  masses  ;  named 
from  colophony,  q.v. 

COLOPHONY.  Black  resin ;  the  dark-coloured  resin  ob- 
tained by  the  distillation  of  turpentine  {Brands').  The  spelling 
colophany  given  by  lire  is  erroneous,  the  substance  having 
been  named  from  Colophon,  in  Ionia,  whence  the  best  was  for- 
merly brought.     See  Pliny,  Hist.  Nat.  xiv.  20. 


56  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

COLOSSAL  or  COLO S SEAN.  Very  large,  huge,  gigan- 
tic, like  a  Colossus,  the  name  of  a  statue  of  gigantic  size. 
The  most  remarkable  colossus  of  antiquity  was  one  at  Rhodes, 
a  statue  of  Apollo,  so  high  that  ships  might  sail  between 
its  legs.  It  is  said  to  have  had  its  name  from  Caletus 
or  Coletus,  who  designed  it.  According  to  others,  it  was  both 
designed  and  executed  by  the  artists  Chares  and  Laches. 

COLT.  A  celebrated  revolving  pistol,  so  named  from 
Colonel  Colt,  the  inventor. 

COLUMBIAN.  Pertaining  to  the  United  States,  or  to 
America,  which  was  discovered  by  Columbus. 

COLUMBITE.     The  ore  of  columbium,  q.v. 

COLUMBIUM.  A  metal  first  discovered  in  an  ore  or 
oxide,  found  in  Connecticut,  at  New  London.  The  same  metal 
was  afterwards  discovered  in  Sweden,  and  called  tantalum,  and 
its  ore  tantalite  {Cleaveland).  From  Columbia,  i.e.  America, 
discovered  by  Columbus. 

COMMAGENUM.  Syrian  ointment;  named  from  Comma- 
gene,  in  Syria,  whence  it  was  hrought.^Galen. 

COMPLUTENSIAN.  The  name  given  to  a  celebrated 
polyglot  Bible  projected  by  Ximenes,  printed  in  6  vols, 
fol.  1514 — 15,  at  Alcala,  de  Henares,  anc.  called  Complutum, 
quasi  confluvium,  from  the  junction  of  rivers.  See  Ford's 
Spain. 

COMPTONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Triandria,  the  only 
species  of  which  is  the  fern-leaved  comptonia,  native  of  the 
United  States  ;  named  in  honour  of  Henry  Compton,  Bishop 
of  London. 

COMPTONITE.  A  mineral  found  in  drusy  cavities  of 
masses  ejected  from  Vesuvius ;  identical  with  thompsonite  ; 
called  in  honour  of  Lord  Compton,  who  brought  it  to  England 
in  1818. 

CONDURRITE.  A  mineral  substance  composed  of  ar- 
senious  acid,  oxide  of  copper,  water,  sulphur,  and  arsenic ; 
found  in  the  Condurron,  in  Cornwall. 

CONGREVE.     The  name  formerly  given  to  a  sort  of  lucifer 

match  ;  so  called  from  the   inventor. A  very  destructive 

engine  of  war  invented  by  Sir  William  Congreve. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  57 

CONISTONITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  oxalic  acid, 
lime,  soda,  magnesia,  and  water ;  from  the  copper  mine  near 
Coniston,  in  Cumberland. 

CONNELLITE.  A  mineral,  from  trials  by  Connel,  sup- 
posed to  be  a  compound  of  a  sulphate  and  chloride  of  copper. 

CONSTANTIA.     A  wine  produced  from  the  vineyards  of 

the  same  name  near  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. A  jelly  made 

of  Seville  oranges,  &c.,  mixed  with  Constantia  wine. 

CONTINENTALS.  A  name  given  to  bright  full- weight 
sovereigns,  very  useful  to  the  Continental  tourist. 

COOPER.  The  beverage  called  half-and-half  is  a  mixture 
of  stout  and  ale ;  cooper  is  composed  of  half  stout  and  half 
porter,  and  was  probably  named  from  the  first  mixer. 

COPERNICAN.  The  name  of  a  system  of  the  spheres, 
proposed  by  Pythagoras  and  revived  by  Copernicus  (born  at 
Thorn,  in  Poland),  in  which  the  sun  is  supposed  to  be  placed 
in  the  centre,  and  all  the  other  planetary  bodies  to  revolve 
round  it  in  a  particular  order. 

COPIAPITE.     A  mineral  found  incrusting  coquimbite,  q.v. 

COPPER  (L.  cupruvi).  The  metal ;  supposed  to  have  been 
so  called  from  Cyprus,  an  isle  in  the  Mediterranean,  which 
is  probable,  it  having  been  called  by  the  Greeks  ^a.\Kos 
Kvitpioi,  Cyprian  brass,  brass  of  Cyprus  ;  and  by  the  Latins  ces 
Cyprium. 

COPPERAS.  A  name  given  to  blue,  green,  and  white 
vitriol,  or  the  factitious  sulphate  of  iron.  The  Fr.  has  couperose ; 
the  D.  koperrood,  i.e.  red  copper  ;  and  koperroest,  copper  rust, 
verdigris ;  the  Armor,  couperosa,  couperos.  Saumaise  sur  Solin., 
p.  1160,  says,  "  Germani  hodie  appellant  chalcanthum  aquam 
cupri;  inde  nostrum  couperose."  Menage  derives  the  word  from 
G.  hipper-vasser{wasser),  copper-water  ;  Labbe  from  mprosa,  for 
cuprum;  Bourdelot  from  cuprum  rosce ;  Skinner  from  cuprum 
rosum,  ab  uligine,  i.e.  from  moisture  {rodo,  rosum,  to  gnaw,  eat 
away,  waste  away,  corrode,  consume).  He  gives  also  Fr. 
rose'e  de  cuivre,  i.e.  7^os  cupri,  and  says,  perhaps  copper  rust. 
See  Copper. 

COPTIC.  The  language  of  the  Copts  or  Cophti,  the  de- 
scendants  of   the   ancient   Egyptians,    as    distinct   from   the 


58  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Arabians,  and  other  inhabitants  of  modern  Egypt  ;  from 
Coptos,  the  metropolis  of  the  Thebaid. 

COQUIMBITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  sulphuric  acid, 
red  oxide  of  iron,  alumina,  lime,  magnesia,  silica,  and  water, 
found  in  the  district  of  Copiapo,  in  Coquimbo,  Chili  :  hence 
copiajnte. 

COR  CAROLI.  An  extra-constellated  star  of  the  third 
magnitude,  between  the  Coma  Berenices  and  Ursa  Major  ;  so 
called  by  Dr.  Halley  in  honour  of  King  Charles. 

CORDIERITE.  A  mineral,  otherwise  called  ioUte  and 
dichroite ;  named  after  M.  Cordier,  professor  of  geology  at  the 
Museum  of  Natural  History  at  Paris. 

CORD  WAIN  or  CORDOVAN  (Sp.  cordoban,  Port,  cordo- 
vam,  Fr.  cordouan).  Spanish  leather,  goat-skin  tanned  and 
dressed  ;  so  named  from  Cordova  or  Cordoba,  in  Spain, 

CORDWAINER  (formerly  Cordiuer).  A  shoemaker  ;  from 
Fr.  cordouanier,  properly  a  worker  in  cordwain  or  Cordo- 
van leather  (Fr.  cordonnier,  a  shoemaker).     See  Cordwain. 

CORINTHIAN.  The  third  and  most  delicate  of  the  orders 
of  architecture,  enriched  with  a  profusion  of  ornaments ; 
named  from  Corinth,  where  it  originated.  Vitruvius  ascribes 
it  to  Callimachus,  a  Corinthian  sculptor. 

CORINTHIANS.  A  term  applied  by  the  sporting  papers 
to  patrons  of  the  prize-ring  ;  so  named  from  the  Corinthians, 
who  cultivated  a  good  discipline  in  time  of  peace  and  war. 
Hence,  Corinth  sent  many  brave  and  experienced  generals  to 
the  other  Grecian  cities,  and  it  was  not  uncommon  for  the  latter 
to  prefer  a  Corinthian  general  to  any  of  their  own. 

CORNUTIA.  A  genus  of  American  trees  of  two  species  5 
named  in  honour  of  James  Cornut  (according  to  others  Cornus), 
a  French  physician,  botanist,  and  Canadian  traveller. 

CORTUSA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  two  species,  the  one  a 
native  of  Austria,  the  other  of  Siberia  ;  named  by  Matthiolus 
in  honour  of  J.  A.  Cortusus,  a  botanist  of  Padua. 

COS.  A  variety  of  lettuce,  said  to  have  had  its  name  from 
the  island  of  Cos.  This  is  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  several 
varieties  of  the  lactuca  or  lettuce  indicate  their  having  come  to 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  59 

US  from  the  Greek  Archipelago,  and  the  coast  of  the  Levaut. 
(Sec  P.  Cyc.)  "  To  Cos  (Stanko)  we  are  indebted  in  England 
for  the  Cos  lettuce,  a  vegetable  which,  among  others,  is  to  be 
had  in  perfection  from  the  gardens  of  Tchanak  Kalessy" 
(Knight's  Diary  of  the  Dardanelles). 

COSSIGNEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Trigynia ;  named  in 
honour  of  M.  Cossigny,  a  French  naturalist. 

CORUNDOPHILITE.  A  mineral  of  a  dark  green  colour, 
related  to  chloritoid  ;  named  by  Shepard  from  the  Corundum 
of  North  Carolina,  on  which  it  is  found,  and  ^iXscu,  to  be  at- 
tached to. 

COSTMARY.  A  species  of  tansy,  or  Tanacetum;  alecost ; 
from  Gr,  Koa-rog,  Arab,  and  Pers.  ^^_._.j'i  host,  L.  costics,  an 
aromatic  herb  and  the  name  Maria. 

COTE  ROTIE.  A  celebrated  wine  made  from  grapes 
grown  on  a  hill  of  the  same  name  on  the  Rhone. 

COTYTTIA.  Festivals  celebrated  in  different  cities  of 
Greece  in  honour  of  Cotytto,  goddess  of  debauchery.  They 
took  place  during  the  night,  and  were  of  the  most  infamous 
description.     The  same  were  observed  in  Sicily. — Juv. 

COUZERANITE.  A  mineral,  described  in  Leonhard's 
Handbuch  as  a  right  rectangular  prism,  and  by  Dufresnoy  as  an 
oblique  rhombic  prism ;  found  in  the  valleys  of  Seix  and 
Salaix,  the  Col  de  la  Trappe,  and  the  Picou  de  Gen,  in  Les 
Couzerans,  in  the  Pyrenees. 

CRACOVIENNE.  A  celebrated  dance,  named  from  Cracow, 
in  Poland,  where  it  was  first  introduced. 

CRATEYA.  The  garlic  pear  ;  a  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or. 
CapparidacecB,  a  native  of  Jamaica;  named  after  Cratevas,  a 
botanist  mentioned  by  Hippocrates. 

CRAVAT  (formerly  crabbat,  Fr.  cravate,  O.  Fr.  crabhat,  It. 
cravatta,  Sp.  corbata,  Port,  caravata).  A  neckcloth  ;  in  O. 
Eng.  also  handsome,  comely  {Bailey).  So  called  from  the 
Croats,  who  appeared  in  Europe  at  first  with  some  peculiar 
scarf  tied  about  their  necks.  "  Probably  from  one  Crabbat,  a 
Croatian,  who  first  wore  it "  (Bailey).  "  So  named  because  this 
sort   of  ornament  was   first  worn  by  the  Croats,   whom    the 


60  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

French  called  Cravates.  Et  ce  fut  en  1636  que  nous  primes 
cette  sorte  de  collet  des  Cravates,  par  le  commerce  que  nous 
usmes  en  ce  tans-la  en  Allemagne,  au  sujet  de  la  guerre  que 
nous  avions  avec  I'empereur"  {Menage). 

CRAWFURDIA.  A  genus  of  climbing  shrubs,  or.  Digynia ; 
named  after  John  Crawfurd,  author  of  a  history  of  the  Indian 
Archipelago.  ' 

CREDNERITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  oxide  of  copper, 
and  oxide  of  manganese,  found  at  Friedrichrode  (Thuringia) ; 
analysed  by  Credner. 

CREMONA.     A  superior  kind  of  violin,  made  or  invented 

at  Cremona,  iu  Italy. The  name  is  also  erroneously  given  to 

a  stop  in  the  organ  voiced  like  the  oboe,  but  of  a  different 
quality,  bearing  the  same  relation  to  the  oboe  as  the  stopped 
diajjason  to  the  open;  more  correctly  written  cromorna,  Fr. 
cromorne;  from  G.  krummhorn,  crooked  horn. 

CRETA.  Chalk  ;  a  genus  of  earths  of  the  calcareous 
order  ;  lit.  Cretan  earth,  i.e.  earth  from  the  isle  of  Crete, 
under  which  name  the  ancients  included  chalk  and  various 
kinds  of  clay. 

CRETACEOUS.  Chalky;  having  the  qualities  of  or  like 
chalk;  abounding  with  chalk.     See  Creta. 

CRETISM  (Kprjrt!r[M$).  A  falsehood ;  a  Cretan  practice ; 
from  the   reputation  of  the  Cretans  as  liars  and  deceivers. 

CRETIC  {Kpy]ritioi).  A  poetic  foot  of  three  syllables,  one 
short  between  two  long  syllables  {Bentley);  such  a  foot  as  the 
Cretans  made  use  of. 

CRICHTONITE.  A  mineral,  colour  velvet-black,  crystal- 
lizing in  very  acute  small  rhomboids;  called  after  Dr.  Crichton, 
physician  to  the  Czar. 

CRISPIN.  A  name  given  to  shoemakers,  of  whom  St. 
Crispin  was  the  patron  saint. 

CROM-A-BOO!  (Crom  for  ever!)  The  ancient  war-cry  of 
the  clan  or  sept  of  Fitzgeralds ;  from  Crom,  a  castle  in  Lime- 
rick, which  formerly  belonged  to  this  family. 

CRONSTEDITE.  A  mineral  accompanying  hydrate  of 
iron  and  calc  spar  at  Przibram,  in  Bohemia,  occurring  also  at 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  61 

Wheal    Maudlin,    in    Cornwall ;     named    after    Cronsted,    the 
Swedish  mineralogist  and  chemist. 

CUBANE.  A  mineral,  consisting  of  copper,  iron,  lead,  and 
sulphur  ;  found  at  Bacaranas,  in  Cuba,  whence  its  name. 

CUFIC  or  KUFIC.  An  epithet  applied  to  the  older  charac- 
ters of  the  Arabic  language,  used  at  the  time  of  Mohammed, 
and  about  three  centuries  after,  when  those  now  in  use  were 
invented.  They  had  their  name  from  Cufat  (i^-^»X  Kufai),  a 
town  of  Asiatic  Turkey,  near  Bagdad,  on  the  Euphrates, 
where  they  are  said  to  have  been  invented. 

CUMBRIAN.  A  name  given  to  the  slate  and  grauwacke 
system  which  comprises  the  Bala  limestone  and  the  Plynlim- 
mon  and  Snowdon  rocks  ;  so  named  from  its  being  most  re- 
remarkably  developed  in  Cumberland. 

CUNONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of  which 
is  the  Gunonia  Capensis,  a  native  of  the  Cape ;  named  in 
honour  of  J.  C.  Cuno,  of  Amsterdam,  a  botanist  and  poet. 

CUPANIA.  A  genus  of  plants  consisting  of  trees  or  shrubs  ; 
named  after  Cupani,  a  Franciscan  monk,  author  of  Plantae 
Siculfe,  &c. 

CUPREOUS.  Coppery ;  consisting  of  or  resembling 
copper,  or  partaking  of  its  qualities  ;  from  L.  cuprevs,  from 
from  cuprum.     See  Copper, 

CURAQOA.  A  liqueur  named  ffom  the  island  of  CuraQao, 
one  of  the  Dutch  Antilles,  where  the  best  is  made. 

CURRANT.  A  shrub  of  the  genus  Rihes ;  a  small  kind  of 
dried  grape  imported  from  the  Levant,  chiefly  from  Zante  and 
Cephalonia,  and  the  southern  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Corinth 
(e.  g.  the  monastery  of  Megalospeleion).  They  were  for- 
merly called  corinthes  or  corinths,  from  having  been  first  im- 
ported from  the  neighbourhood  of  Corinth.  "  The  Fr.  name 
of  those  coming  from  the  Levant  is  raisins  de  Corinthe,  grapes 
of  Corinth." 

CURTISIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Aquifoliacece,  from 
the  single  species  of  which  C.  faginea,  a  native  of  the  Cape,  the 
Hottentots  and  Caffres  make  their  javelins ;  named  after  Mr. 
Curtis,  founder  of  the  Botanical  Magazine. 


62  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

CUSSONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Arabiacece,  called 
after  P.  Cousson,  a  French  botanist. — Crabb. 

CYCLOPEAN.  Vast,  terrific;  a  term  applied  to  the  re- 
mains of  a  rude  and  very  massive  kind  of  architecture,  of  the 
earliest  ages,  demanding  an  enormous  exertion  of  physical 
force.  The  stones  were  irregularly  placed,  but  made  to  fit 
each  other.  The  word  is  derived  from  the  Cyclops,  fabulous 
giants  of  antiquity. 

CYDONIA.  The  quince  {Cydonium  malum);  named  from 
Cydon,  a  town  of  Crete,  which  abounded  in  this  fruit. 

CYPRIAN.  A  term  applied  to  a  lewd  woman;  so  called 
from  the  isle  of  Cyprus,  birthplace  of  Venus. 

CYPRINUS.  A  genus  of  fishes  of  the  Abdominal  order; 
named  from  Cyprus;  or  from  Kvntpig,  Venus. 

C  YPRIS.  A  species  of  fresh-water  Crustacea,  which  swarm 
in  stagnant  water  ;  named  from  Kvnpig,  Venus. 

CYPRUS.     A  celebrated  wine  brought  from  Cyprus. 

A  thin  transparent  black  stuiF. 

Lawn  as  white  as  driven  snow, 
Cyprus  black  as  e'er  was  crow. 

Shak.  W.'s  Tale. 

A  Cyprus,  not  a  bosom, 
Hides  my  poor  heart  I 

Shak. 

CYRILLA.  A  handsome  plant,  of  which  there  is  only 
one  species,  native  of  Jamaica ;  named  by  L'Heretier  after 
Dominico  Cyrillo,  professor  of  medicine  at  Naples,  author  of 
Plantae  Rariores  Regni  Neapolitani,  &c. 


D. 


DACOITAL.  Robber-like;  lit.  after  the  manner  of  the 
Dacoits  of  India.     Gang-robbery  is  called  dacoity. 

D^DAL.  Various,  variegated  (Spenser)  ;  skilful  (Webster); 
artful,  skilful ;  fruitful  in  invention  (Richardson). 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  63 

But  liuing  art  may  not  least  part  expresse, 

Nor  life-resembling  pencil!  it  can  paint, 
All  were  it  Zeuxis  or  Praxiteles 

His  dcBclale  hand  would  fail,  and  greatly  faint, 

And  her  perfections  with  his  error  taint. 

Spenser,  Fairie  Queene,  Introd.  b.  iii. 

Nor  hath 
The  dcedal  hand  of  nature  only  poured 
Her  gifts  of  outward  grace. 

J.  Phillips,  b.  i. 

Here  ancient  art  her  dcedal  fancies  play'd 
In  the  quaint  mazes  of  the  crisped  roof. 

Warton,  Ode  3. 

So  called  from  Daedalus,  an  ingenious  artist,  who  made  the 
Cretan  labyrinth.  "  Daedalum  vocatur  quicquid  est  artiiiciose 
varium  et  affabre  factum"  {Vossius). 

D^DALIAN.  Formed  with  art ;  intricate ;  maze-like ; 
from  Dcedalus. — See  D^dal. 

D^DALOUS.  Having  a  margin  with  various  windings 
and  turnings ;  of  a  beautiful  and  delicate  texture ;  a  term 
applied  to  the  leaves  of  plants ;  from  Dcedalus. — See  Daedal. 

DAG.  A  pistol ;  "  perhaps,"  says  Minshew,  "  because 
brought  into  use  by  the  Daci,  a  people  of  Germany ;  and  that 
they  were  a  new  fashion  of  German  horsemen  appears  from 
the  quotation  from  Knolles,  produced  by  Mr.  Nares  :  '  Neither 
was  anything  taken  from  them  but  these  dags,  which  the 
German  horsemen,  after  a  new  fashion,  carried  at  their  saddle 
bows ;  these  the  Turks  greatly  desired,  delighted  with  the 
noveltie  of  the  invention,  to  see  them  shoot  off  with  a  firelock 
without  a  match :  Knolles'  Hist,  of  the  Turks,  p.  742.' " — 
Eichardson. 

DAGGER  (Fr.  dague;  G.  degen;  Sw.  daggert;  Low  L. 
dagga,  daggerms).  A  short  weapon,  used  to  stab  with.  "  This 
word,  as  well  as  dag  (q.v.),  Du  Cange  says,  some  derive 
a  Dads,  as  a  weapon  peculiar  to  them.  Wachter  quotes  autho- 
rities to  show  that  gladius  was  called  degin,  quod  ejus  minis- 
terio  in  defensione  utamur  ;  and  hence  inclines  to  think  it  an 
application  of  degen,  viz.  fortis,  miles;  remarking  that  men  and 
their  arms  are  often  designated  by  the  same  name." — 
Richardson. 


64  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

DAGUERREOTYPE.  A  process  for  taking  views,  por- 
traits, 8fC.,  by  means  of  reflection  from  the  images  themselves 
in  a  strong  light ;  named  from  the  discoverer,  M.  Daguerre 
(a  celebrated  French  dioramic  painter,  who  published  it  in 
July,  1 839),  and  Gr.  tvitos,  a  mark,  stamp,  or  impress. 

DAHLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  perennials,  nat.  or.  Com- 
positce,  natives  of  Mexico ;  introduced  into  Europe  by  the 
Spaniards  in  1789;  and  named  by  Cavanilles  in  honour  of 
Andrew  Dahl,  a  Swedish  botanist.  It  is  the  Gcorgina  of 
Willdenow  and  other  Continental  botanists ;  and  was  so  called 
in  honour  of  Professor  Georgei,  the  Russian  traveller  and 
botanist. 

DAHLINE.  A  vegetable  principle  discovered  in  the  dahlia, 
similar  to  inulin  and  starch.     See  Dahlia. 

DALECHAMPIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  which  there  are 
two  species,  the  one  a  native  of  New  Granada,  the  other  of 
the  West  Indies  ;  named  by  Plunder  in  honour  of  Jacobus 
Dalechampius,  a  physician  of  Lyons,  a  commentator  on  Dios- 
corides  and  Pliny ;  and  author  of  Historia  Plantarum,  1587. 

DALMATICA  or  DALMATIC.  A  long  white  gown,  with 
large  open  sleeves,  worn  by  deacons  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
church.  It  was  at  first  used  only  by  bishops,  and  was  called 
dalmatica  because  it  originated  in  Dalmatia,  now  a  province 
of  Austria,  on  the  Gulf  of  Venice. 

Candida  ut  extensis  niteat  Dalmatica  rugis, 
Fimbria  neve  arret  huic  sine  lege  levis. 

A  tulip  was  anciently  called  a  Dalmatian. 

DAMASCENE.  The  fruit  of  the  Prunus  Damascena. 
See  Damson. 

DAMASCENUM.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Hydro- 
characece  ;  named  from  Damascus. 

DAMASK  (Fr.  damasquin).  A  silk  stuff,  having  some 
parts  raised  above  the  ground,  representing  flowers  and  other 
figures ;  originally  from  Damascus ;  or,  as  others  say,  linen  or 

silk  woven  after  a  manner  invented  at  Damascus. To  form 

fiowers  on  stuffs;  to  variegate;  to  diversify;  as,  a  bank 
damasked  with  flowers. Red  colour,  from  the  damask  rose. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  65 

To  damask  wine  formerly  signified  to  warm  it  a  little,  in 
order  to  take  off  the  edge  of  the  cold,  and  to  make  it  mantle, 
as  Bailey  calls  it. 

DAMASKEENING.  A  kind  of  Mosaic  work,  which  con- 
sists in  ornamenting  iron,  steel,  &c.,  by  making  incisions 
therein,  and  filling  them  up  with  gold  or  silver  wire ;  used 
chiefly  for  adorning  sword  blades,  guards,  locks  of  pistols.  &c. ; 
named  from  Damascus. — See  Damaskin. 

DAM  A  SKIN.  Formerly  a  sabre,  so  called  from  the  manu- 
facture of  Damascus. 

DAMASSE  or  DAMASK.  A  kind  of  wrought  linen 
made  at  Flanders,  in  imitation  of  damask  silks. —  See  Damask. 

DAMASSIN.  A  kind  of  damask,  with  gold  and  silver 
flowers  woven  in  the  warp  and  woof. — See  Damask. 

DAMPIERA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants,  natives  of 
Australia ;  named  in  honour  of  Captain  Dampier. 

DAMSON.  The  fruit  of  a  variety  of  the  Primus  domestica^ 
a  small  black  plum ;  formerly  written  damascene,  from 
Aa.iJi,a.cKrjvos,  of  Damascus,  in  whose  neighbourhood  it  first 
grew. 

DAN^A.  A  very  curious  genus  of  tropical  plants,  named 
by  Dr.  Smith,  after  Professor  Dana,  of  Turin. 

DANAIS.  A  genus  of  climbing  shrubs,  natives  of  the 
East  India  islands ;  named  from  Danais,  one  of  the  Danaides. 

DANBURITE.  A  mineral  resembling  chondrodite,  occur- 
ring with  oligoclase  in  dolomite,  at  Danbury,  Connecticut,  U.S. 

DANEGELT.  In  England,  formerly  a  tax  imposed  upon 
every  hide  of  land,  in  order  to  clear  the  seas  of  Danish  pirates. 
At  a  subsequent  period,  when  the  Danes  became  masters,  the 
danegelt  was  a  tax  levied  by  the  Danish  princes  on  every  hide 
of  land  owned  by  the  Anglo-Saxons  (P.  Cyc.)',  frovADane,  and 
gelt,  geld,  money. 

DAPHNE  (Aa4)v>j  of  Theophrastus  and  Dioscorides).  A 
genus  of  plants,  whose  species  are  shrubs  of  no  great  height  ; 
named  from  the  nymph  Daphne,  whose  fabled  metamorphosis 
is  well  known. 

DARIC.  A  gold  coin,  supposed  to  have  been  equal  to  25s. 
sterling ;  so  called  from  Darius,  by  whom  it  was  struck. 

F 


66  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

DARWINIA,  A  genus  of  plants,  drooping  shrubs,  natives 
of  Australia ;  named  after  Dr.  Erasmus  Darwin. 

DASEY,  In  Ireland,  a  name  for  a  cloak.  A  Dublin  phy- 
sician, named  Dasey,  was  in  the  habit  of  wearing  a  cloak  to 
conceal  his  thefts  from  the  houses  which  he  visited  profession- 
ally. After  he  was  hanged,  for  this  or  some  other  crime, 
cloaks  were  universally  discarded  in  Ireland,  and  were  gene- 
rally called  daseys. — Anon. 

DAUBENTONIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  shrubs,  natives 
of  Mexico ;  named  in  honour  of  the  French  naturalist,  Louis 
Jean  Marie  Daubenton. 

DAVENPORT.  A  sort  of  writing  desk  or  escritoire; 
doubtless  named  after  the  maker. 

DA  VILLA.  A  genus  of  climbing  shrubs,  with  yellow 
flowers,  named  after  H.  C.  Davilla,  an  Italian  historian. 

DAVINA.  A  nQ\Y  Vesuvian  mineral,  the  same  with 
nepheline  ;  called  in  honour  of  Sir  H.  Davy. 

DAVY  JONES.  A  sailor's  name  for  a  sea-devil.  Hence, 
"  to  go  to  Davy  Jones's  locker "  means  "  to  die,"  because 
sailors'  dead  bodies  are  buried  in  the  sea. — S.  F.   C. 

DELF.  Earthenware,  covered  with  enamel  or  white  glazing, 
in  imitation  of  china  ware  or  porcelain ;  made  at  Delft,  in 
Holland  ;  properly.  Delft-ware. 

DELIA.  A  festival  in  honour  of  Apollo,  annually  cele- 
brated at  Athens,  and  quintennially  at  Delos.  During  its 
continuance  it  was  illegal  to  execute  any  malefactor :  thus 
Xenophon  and  Plato  inform  us  that  Socrates  was  kept  in 
prison  thirty  days  after  his  condemnation,  on  account  of  the 
Delian  solemnities,  whereas  they  did  not  scruple  to  putPhocion 
to  death  during  a  festival  dedicated  to  Jupiter.  The  origin  of 
the  festival  is  imputed  to  Theseus. 

DELI  AC.  A  kind  of  sculptured  vase  ;  also  beautiful  bronze 
and  silver  {Elmes),  from  Delos,  an  isle  in  the  Grecian 
Archipelago. 

DELIAN.  The  name  of  a  celebrated  problem  proposed  by 
the  oracle  at  Delos,  and  known  to  geometers  as  the  "duplication 
of  the  cube."     "  The  finding  the  side  of  a  cube  which  will  be 


VERBA    NOMINAI.IA.  67 

double  that  of  another  cube  is  thus  named,  it  is  said,  because 
during  a  pestilence  the  Delians,  on  consulting  their  oracle, 
were  required  to  construct  a  cubical  altar  double  the  size  of 
the  one  which  they  then  possessed.  This  problem  is  reported 
to  have  puzzled  all  the  school  of  Plato  at  Athens." 

DELPHIN.  An  edition  of  the  Latin  classics,  prepared  for 
the  Dauphin's  use  {in  usum  Delpliini)  by  order  of  Louis  XIV. 

DELTA.  Originally  applied  to  the  triangle  included 
between  the  two  main  arms  of  the  Nile,  and  so  called  fi'om  its 
resemblance  to  the  G-reek  letter  A.  Subsequently  applied  to 
any  tract  of  alluvial  land  at  the  mouth  of  a  river,  though  of 
different  shapes,  as  the  delta  of  the  Mississippi,  the  delta  of  the 
Ganges. — ;S'.  F.  Cresivell, 

DELVAUXENE.  A  mineral  of  a  yellowish  brown, 
brownish  black,  or  reddish  colour;  from  Berneau,  in  Belgium  ; 
analysed  by  Delvaux. 

DENNET.  A  two-wheeled  carriage,  named  after  its 
manufacturer. 

DENSHIRING.  Cutting  off  the  turf  of  land  and  burning 
it  to  ashes ;  so  called  because  first  begun  in  Devonshire.^ 
Crabb. 

DEODAND.  In  England  (formerly)  a  personal  chattel 
which  was  the  immediate  occasion  of  the  death  of  a  rational 
creature,  and  for  that  reason  given  to  God  {Deo  dcmdus);  that 
is,  forfeited  to  the  king,  to  be  applied  to  pious  uses,  and  dis- 
tributed in  alms  by  his  high  almoner. 

DERBY  (The).  "  Since  the  reign  of  James  I.,  who  founded 
the  Epsom  meeting  during  his  residence  at  Nonsuch,  its  imme- 
diate locality  has  been  regarded  as  classic  ground  by  our  race- 
loving  public.  In  the  little  parish  of  Woodmansterne  is  '  Lam- 
bert's Oaks,'  formerly  an  inn,  but  latterly  a  place  of  some  inter- 
est to  the  Jockey  Club,  since  it  gave  name  to  the  famous  Oaks 
stakes  at  Epsom  races.  The  house,  which  stands  high  and 
commands  very  fine  views,  was  erected  by  a  society  called  the 
Hunters'  Club,  under  a  lease  from  the  Lambert  family.  It 
afterwards  became  the  residence  of  the  unfortunate  Lieut. - 
General  Burgoyne,  from  whom  it  passed  to  the  eleventh  Earl 

F  2 


68  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

of  Derby,  whose  grandson  Edward  Smith  Stanley,  the  twelfth 
earl,  much  improved  it.  Here  was  given,  on  the  9th  of  June, 
1774,  in  anticipation  of  the  marriage  of  Lord  Stanley  with 
Lady  Betty  Hamilton,  the  celebrated  '  Fete,  Champetre,'  the 
first  of  the  kind  in  England,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Lieut.-General  Burgoyne.  This  rural  festival  furnished  the 
general  with  the  subject  of  a  dramatic  entertainment  entitled 
the  '  Maid  of  the  Oaks,'  and  which,  after  a  few  bold  touches 
from  Garrick's  pen,  Avas  performed  for  the  first  time  at  Drury 
Lane,  on  Nov.  5,  1774 — 

"  Whose  is  this  piece  ?  'tis  all  surmise — suggestion — 
Is't  Mb,  or  hers,  or  yours,  sir  ? — that's  the  question : 
The  parent,  bashful,  whimsical,  or  poor, 
Left  it  a  puling  infant  at  the  door  : 
'Twas  laid  on  flowers,  and  wrapt  in  fancied  cloaks, 
And  on  the  breast  was  written  '  Maid  o'  th'  Oaks.' 
The  actors  crowded  round;  the  girls  caress'd  it — 
'  Lord,  the  sweet  pretty  babe  !' — they  prais'd  andbless'd  it; 
The  master  peep'd,  Bmil'd,  took  it,  and  dress'd  it." 

On  May  14,  1779,  Edward  Smith  Stanley,  the  twelfth  Earl  of 
Derby,  originated  the  famous  Oak  stakes,  so  named  from  his 
sylvan  retreat  at  Woodmansterue.  The  first  winner  of  the 
Oaks  stakes  at  Epsom  was  Bridget,  a  bay  mare,  foaled  in  1776, 
the  property  of  the  earl.  Bridget  was  of  royal  blood,  got  by 
King  Herod  out  of  Jemima.  In  the  following  year  (1780)  the  earl 
started  the  Derby  stakes,  so  named  out  of  compliment  to  its 
noble  founder.  The  first  winner  of  the  Derby  stakes  was 
Diomed,  a  chestnut  horse,  foaled  in  1777,  bred  by  the  Hon. 
Richard  Vernon,  of  Newmarket,  and  sold  to  Sir  C.  Banbury, 
Bart.  Diomed  was  got  by  Florizel  out  of  the  Spectator  mare, 
dam  of  Pastorella,  Fame,  &c.  After  the  death  of  the  Earl  of 
Derby,  in  1834,  '  The  Oaks '  estate  was  sold  to  Sir  Charles 
Grey,  and  has  since  passed  to  its  present  proprietor,  Joseph 
Smith,  Esq."— ^cZ.  of  N.  <|-  Q. 

DERRICK  or  DERIC.  A  contrivance  for  raising  heavy 
weights  by  means  of  a  pully,  and  especially  for  raising  ships, 
and  difierently  constructed  according  to  circumstances  ;  named 
after  its  inventoi'.  Derrick.    "  It  is  said  to  have  been  named 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  69 

after  the  Tyburn  Jack  Ketch,  whose  namelike  instrument  it 
resembled."— Cf.  Times,  28  Sep.  1858. 

DESCLOIZITE.     A   mineral   colour,    mostly  deep  black, 
from  South  America;   analysed  by  Descloizeaux. 

DEUCE  or  DEUSE.  A  demon  or  evil  spirit.  "What 
the  deuce  is  the  matter?"  "The  deuse  is  in  you."  "The 
deuce  take  you."  According  to  some,  the  word  owes  its  origin 
to  the  name  of  the  Roman  general  Claudius  Drusus,  stepson 
of  Augustus.  Albert  Mira3us  (Annales  Belgici,  Bruss.  1624, 
p.  9)  says  the  name  of  Drusus,  after  his  German  victories, 
became  so  dreaded  that  it  was  still  used  in  the  imprecation 
common  with  the  Flemings,  Dat  den  Droes  hale — May 
Druse  take  you  ;  Drusus  te  auferat  seu  evehat ;  and  Dr. 
Smith  (Diet.  Anc,  Biog.  vol.  1,  p.  1086)  says,  "  The  misery 
that  Drusus  occasioned  among  the  German  tribes  was  un- 
doubtedly excessive.  Some  antiquaries  have  imagined  that 
the  German  imprecation,  Das  dich  der  Drus  hoi,  may  be  traced 
to  the  traditional  dread  of  this  terrible  conqueror.  Junius 
gives  Deus  take  you;  Abi  in  malam  rem,  Diobolus  te  abripiat ; 
and  refers  to  Dusius,  the  name  of  a  certain  evil  spirit.  Sharon 
Turner  informs  us  that  Bede,  in  his  Commentary  on  Luke, 
mentions  demons  appearing  to  men  as  females,  and  to  women 
as  men,  whom  he  says  the  Gauls  call  Dusii  (quosdam  diemones 
quas  dusios  Galli  nuncupant),  the  presumed  origin  of  our  word 
deuce.  Again,  from  Dusius  is  said  to  have  been  formed  the 
Old  Teut.  duyse,  a  concubine."  See  Todd's  Johnson;  Keysler 
Antiq.  Septentrion.  547 ;  Kilian  in  v.  Duyse  ;  Isidorus, 
Gloss.  51  ;  Augustine  de  Civ.  Dei,  lib.  xv.,  c.  23  ;  Dr. 
Whitaker,  Cathedral  of  Cornwall,  vol.  1,  pp.  345 — 347,  and 
N.  &  Q.  2nd  S.,  No.  43,  331.  It  comes  rather  from  diaus,  a 
Celtic  corruption  of  diabolus,  the  devil. 

DEVIL.     A  very  wicked  person  ;  named  after  Satan. 

An  idol  or  false  god,  Lev.  xvii.,  2  Chron.  xi. In  ludicrous 

language,  any  great   evil  ;  in  profane  language,   an  expletive 

expressing  wonder,   vexation,   &c. A  printer's  errand  boy. 

A  machine  for  cutting  up  rags  and  cloth  for  manufacturing 

purposes. To  pepper  excessively;  to  devil  a  fowl  or  a  bone. 


70  VERBA   NOMINALTA. 

DEVILISH.  Partaking  of  the  qualities  of  the  devil ; 
diabolical ;  very  evil  and  mischievous ;  malicious ;  exces- 
sive, enormous,  in  a  vulgar  and  ludicrous  sense,  as  a  devilish 
cheat. 

DEVIL' S-BIT.  The  Scabiosa  prcemorsa,  so  called  from 
having  its  root,  as  it  were,  bitten  off  at  the  end. 

DEVONIAN.  The  name  given  by  Professor  Sedgwick  and  Sir 
R.  Murchison  to  a  great  portion  of  the  paleozoic  strata  of  N. 
and  S.  Devon,  and  referred  to  as  coeval  in  formation  with  the 
.old  red  sandstone  of  Herefordshire. 

DHOLLERA.  A  description  of  Indian  cotton,  named  from 
Dholarra  or  Dholera,  a  town  in  the  British  district  of  Ahme- 
dabad. 

DIANA.      A  name  formerly  given  to  silver,  from  its  white 

shining   appearance,    like   the  moon,    i.e.   Diana. A  name 

given  to  the  arborescent  form  of  the  crystallized  silver  Avhich  is 
disengaged  when  mercury   is  put  into    a    solution  of   nitrate 

of    silver. An    African    species     of    the    monkey,    the 

Simia  Diana  of  Linnjeus,  and  Palatine  monkey  of  Pennant  ; 
but  perhaps  better  known  as  the  African  spotted  monkey.  It 
was  so  called  because  from  the  top  of  its  nose  is  a  white  line, 
passing  over  each  eye  to  the  ears  in  an  arched  direction, 
resembling  the  crescent  assigned  by  the  poets  to  Diana. 

DIANELLA.  A  genus  of  plants  found  in  woody  recesses  in 
warm  climates,  whence  their  name  from  the  sylvan  Diana. 

DIANTHUS.  Classical  name  of  the  pink,  carnation,  sweet 
William,  &c. ;  from  Aio;  avSog,  Jove's  flower,  or  divine  flower, 
from  the  colour  and  odour  in  some  species.  The  genus  con- 
tains upwards  of  seventy  species. 

DIAPER  (Fr.  diapre,  diapered).  Figured  linen  cloth  ;  a 
cloth  wove  in  floAvers  or  figures,  much  used  for  towels  or  nap- 
kins :  hence,  a  towel  or  napkin.  The  word  is  derived  from 
d'Ypres,  i.e.  from  Ypres,  in  Flanders,  where  this  article  was 
first  manufactured. 

DICKEY.  A  common  word  for  a  false  shirt-front.  The 
original  term  still  in  use  at  the  Dublin  University  is  tommy, 
not  from  the  Christian  name,  but  from  Gr.  ro^a^j,  a  section. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  71 

DICKSONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Fob/podiacecB ; 
named  after  Mr.  Dickson,  a  British  botanist. 

DICTAMNUS.  Dittany  ;  now  applied  to  a'genus  of  plants, 
nat.  or.  RiitacecB,  the  species  of  which  are  perennials ;  so  called 
from  Dictamnus,  in  Crete,  on  whose  mountains  it  grows. 

DILLENIA.  A  genus  of  very  elegant  plants,  whose  species 
are  found  in  India,  New  Holland,  China,  and  Brazil ;  named  in 
honour  of  John  James  Dillenius,  born  at  Darmstadt,  in  1607  ; 
appointed  the  first  botanical  professor  at  Oxford,  on  Sherrard's 
foundation  ;  author  of  a  History  of  Mosses,  and  Hortus  Eltha- 
mensis. 

DILLNITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  silica,  alumina,  lime, 
magnesia,  and  watei",  found  in  the  Dilln  Mine,  at  Schemnitz, 
Hungary. 

DILLWYNIA.  A  genus  of  papilionaceous  plants,  con- 
sisting of  subshrubs,  natives  of  America ;  named  in  honour  of 
L.  W.  Dillwyn,  F.R.S.,  a  writer  on  the  British  Confer^vce. 

DIMITY  (found  written  dimittjj,  dimitie,  Fr.  demitte;  also 
demitton,  sorte  de  toile  de  coton  moins  large  et  moins  serree  que 
la  demitte  ;  D.diemit).  A  kind  of  white  cotton  cloth,  ribbed  or 
figured  {Webster),  It  is  a  cross-barred  stuff  composed  entirely 
of  cotton,  and  similar  in  fabric  to  fustian,  from  which  it  differs 
chiefly  in  having  ornaments  woven  in  it,  and  in  not  being 
dyed.  The  manufacture  of  dimities  in  Europe  was  first  esta- 
blished at  Lyons  about  1580,  and  for  a  long  period  our  markets 
were  supplied  by  the  French.  The  works  at  Manchester  have 
now  almost  wholly  superseded  the  necessity  of  importation. 
Junius  derives  dimitie  from  Si^^it'os,  wove  of  a  double  thread ; 
hence,  says  he,  (j.ovojj.t-tog,  wove  of  a  simple  thread  ;  ifoXvix^iros, 
wove  of  many  threads ;  XsTtT'0[wroQ,  wove  of  a  thin  thread ; 
s^ay^iro;,  samit  (samite).  The  word  is  more  probably  derived 
from  dimyati,  i.e.  made  at  Damietta,  in  Egypt.  "  In  Tennis 
and  Dimyat,"  says  Idrisi,  who  wrote  in  the  middle  of  the 
twelfth  century,  "  they  manufacture  the  finest  dresses  of  tanned 
leather,  cotton,  and  linen ;  and  the  dyed  striped  clothes  of 
Tennis,  which  for  price  and  beauty  are  unrivalled,  A  single 
robe,  when  embroidered  with  gold,  is    sometimes  sold  for  a 


72  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

thousand  dinars  or  thereabouts  (,£400).  Those  that  have  no 
gold  in  them  sell  for  one  or  two  hundred  dinars  (£35  or  £40). 
The  manufactures  of  Fu  and  Damireh  and  the  neighbouring 
islands,  though  of  a  very  superior  kind,  do  not  at  all  ap- 
proach those  of  Tennis  and  Dimyat."  "  This  curious  passage," 
says  the  writer  in  the  Encyc.  Metrop.,  "  is  entirely  omitted 
in  the  Epitome  of  Idrisi's  work,  translated  into  Latin  under 
the  title  of  Geographia  Nubiensis.  The  fine  manufactures, 
especially  those  of  cotton,  were  all  imported  from  the  East  in 
the  Middle  Ages  ;  hence  our  calicoes  received  their  name  from 
Calicut  ;  our  musselines  [muslins]  from  Miisul;  and,  if  the  con- 
jecture here  made  be  correct,  our  dimities  from  Damietta." 

DINITE.  An  aggregation  or  druse  of  crystals,  having  the 
appearance  of  ice ;  found  by  Professor  Dini,  at  Lunigiana, 
in  Tuscany. 

DIOGENES'  CUP.  A  term  applied  to  the  cup-like 
cavity  of  the  hand,  occasioned  by  bending  the  metacarpal  bone 
of  the  little  finger. 

DIOMEDA.  The  heron  ;  a  genus  of  birds  ;  so  called  from 
the  Grecian  general  Diomedes,  whose  companions  are  said  to 
have  been  changed  into  herons. 

DIOPHANTINE.  A  name  applied  to  problems  relating  to 
square  and  cube  numbers,  &c.,  the  properties  of  which  were 
first  solved  by  Diophantus,  of  Alexandria,  who  lived  in  the 
third  century,  and  was  one  of  the  first  writers  on  algebra. 

DIOSCOREA.  A  genus  of  perennial  plants,  of  which 
there  are  several  species,  mostly  tropical  plants,  chiefly  natives 
of  the  West  Indies  ;  named  in  honour  of  Pedacius  Dioscorides, 
an  eminent  physician  and  botanist,  who  was  born  at  Anazarbus, 
in  Cicilia,  and  lived  in  the  time  of  Nero  ;  he  was  author  of  Ma- 
teria Medica,  in  which  from  500  to  600  plants  are  described ;  a 
work  which,  till  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  was 
considered  the  most  essential  to  the  student  of  botany. 

DIOSCURIA.  In  classical  history,  festivals  celebrated  by 
the  Lacedgemonians  with  great  mirth  and  festivity  in  honour 
of  the  Dioscuri,  or  sons  of  Jupiter,  viz.,  Castor  and  Pollux. 

DITTANY.     A  plant  of  the  genus  Dictamnus,  q.v. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  73 

DODON^A.  A  genus  of  j^lants,  nat.  or,  Sapindacece,  the 
species  being  shrubs ;  named  after  Dodonseus,  a  celebrated 
botanist. 

DOILEY,  DOYLY,  or  DOYLEY.  A  small  napkin, 
generally  coloured,  used  with  fruit  and  wine  (Smat^t)  ;  formerly 
a  species  of  woollen  stuff;  named  from  the  first  maker,  Mr. 
Doyley,  "a  very  respectable  warehouseman,  whose  family 
had  resided  in  the  great  old  house  next  to  HodsoU's,  the 
bankers,  from  the  time  of  Queen  Anne."  This  refers  to  346, 
Strand,  east  corner  of  Upper  Wellington  Street.  See  Notes 
and  Queries. 

DOLLAR  (G.   thale)\  D.  daalder,  Dan.  and  Sw.  daler,  Sp. 
dalera,  Russ.  taler).     A  silver  coin  of  Spain  and  of  the  United 
States,   equal   to   100  cents,   or  about  4s.  4cZ.    sterling  (Web- 
ster).   In  different  parts  of  Germany  the  name  is  given  to  coins 
of  different  values.     The  Prussian  dollar  or  thaler  is  equal  to 
about  3s.  Ad.  sterling.     It  seems  to  have  originated  in  Germany. 
Some  derive  the  name  from  Dale,  the  town  where  they  assert  it 
was  first  coined  ;  but  the  word  thaler  is  more  correctly  an  abbre- 
viation of  JoacJwnsthaler,  from  Joachimsthal,  near  Carlsbad,  in 
Bohemia,  where  these  pieces  were  first  struck  in  1519.     The 
town  was  formerly  of  greater  importance  than  at  present,  owing 
to  its  mines  of  silver  and  cobalt.     With  the  exception,  perhaps, 
of  the  mines  of  Larium,  in  Attica,  opposite  JEgina,  here  is 
the  oldest  silver  mine  in  Europe,  and  the  first  that  was  en- 
dowed  with    mining    laws.      It    is    300    fathoms    deep,    but, 
instead   of  800  miners,   only  400  are  now  employed.     "  Joa- 
chimsthaler :    on  designe  sous  ce  uom  les  pieces  de   monnaie 
d'argent  frappees,  vers  le  fin  du  XV    siecle,  dans  les  mines 
du  Conte   de   Schlick,    a  Joachimsthal,  en  Boheme.      C'etait 
une  imitation  des  florins  d'empire,  et  la  purete   de  leur  titre 
les  mit  bientot  en  telle  reputation,  que  ce  type  finit  par  predo- 
miner  en  meme  temps  que  leur  nom  restait  affecte  par  I'usage 
aux  pieces  d'une  valeur  analogue,  sauf  que  par  abbreviation  on 
finit  par  ne  plus  dire  que  thalers  au  lieu  de  Joachimsthaler  {sous 
entendu  munze),  monnaie  de  Joachimsthal.     C'est  la  I'etymo- 
logie  du  mot  thaler,  que  nous  traduisons  en  Francois  par  notre 


74  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

mot  ecu.  Ces  pieces  de  monnaie  sont  dites  encore  Icewenthaler 
(ecus  du  lion),  a  cause  du  lion  a  deux  queus  de  Boheme 
qu'elles  representent,  et  quelquefois  aussi  Schlickenthaler,  du 
nom  du  seigneur  qui  les  fit  frapper,  en  Latin  Slicni,  et  aussi 
Joachiomici,  ou  Vallones"  {Diet,  de  la  Conversation). 

DOLLOND.  A  telescojje  on  the  acliromatic  principle,  first 
introduced  by  the  late  Peter  Dolloud,  son  of  John  Dolloud,  an 
eminent  optician,  descended  from  a  French  refugee  family. 

DOLOMITE.  A  variety  of  magnesian  limestone  occurring 
chiefly  massive,  and  softer  than  common  limestone.  Much  of 
the  common  white  marble  is  dolomite ;  the  Apennines  are 
partly  composed  of  dolomite  ;  it  occurs  at  lona,  and  there  are 
dolomite  mountains  in  Tyrol.  It  was  named  after  the  French 
geologist  Dolomieu,  born  at  Grenoble  in  June,  1750,  and  who 
in  less  than  three  years  i^ublished  twenty-seven  original 
memoirs,  among  which  were  those  on  the  nature  of  leucite, 
peridot,  anthracite,  pyroxene,  &c.  "  See  also  report,  mention- 
ing the  two  kinds  of  dolomite,  one  of  which  was  used  in  the 
New  Parliament  House,  London  ;  the  sort  used  decays  on 
exposure." — *S'.  F.  CresivelL 

DOMBEYA.  A  genus  of  vS.  American  plants,  the  only 
species  of  which  is  a  tree,  native  of  Chili,  called  D.  Chilensis  ; 
named  in  honour  of  the  French  botanist,  J.  Dombey. 

DOMITE.  A  mineral,  having  the  aspect  and  gritty  feel  of 
a  sandy  chalk  ;  from  Puy  de  Dome,  in  Auvergne. 

DONARIUM.  A  new  metal  found  at  Brevig,  in  Norway, 
in  the  same  zircon-syenite  that  contains  wohlorite  and  enkolite  ; 
named  from  the  god  Donar. 

DONATISM.  The  principles  of  the  Donatists,  or  folloAvers 
of  Douatus,  African  schismatics  of  the  fourth  century. 

DONIA.  A  genus  of  beautiful  American  papilionaceous 
shrubs,  natives  of  Mexico,  &c.  ;  named  after  David  Don,  the 
Scotch  botanist. 

DON  PEDRO.  A  low  game  at  cards,  probably  invented 
by  the  mixed  English  and  Irish  rabble  who  fought  in  Portu- 
gal in  1832-3. 

DOPPLERITE.  A  mineral,  brownish-black  when  fresh, 
found  in  peat,  near  Aussee,  in  Styria  ;  named  after  M.  Doppler. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  75 

DORIC.  In  architecture,  the  second  order  of  columns, 
between  the  Tuscan  and  the  Ionic,  distinguished  for  simplicity 

and  strength  ;  named  from  Doris,  in  Greece. The  dialect  of 

the  Dorians,  one  of  the  five  dialects  of  the  Greek  language,  differ- 
ing little  from  that  of  Lacedajmon.     It  is  found  in  the  writings 

of  Archimedes  and  Theocritus. In  music,  the  first  of  the 

authentic  modes  of  the  ancients.  Its  character  is  to  be  severe, 
tempered  with  gravity  and  joy. 

DORICISM  or  DORISM.     A  phrase  of  the  Doric  dialect. 

DORKING.  A  peculiar  variety  of  fowl  of  a  large  size ; 
distinguished  from  the  common  barn-door  kind  by  having  five 
claws  on  each  foot,  the  hinder  claw  being  double ;  named 
from  Dorking,  Surrey.  They  are  said  to  have  been  brought 
hither  by  the  Romans,  and  to  degenerate  in  other  counties. 

DORNIC  (found  written  dornix).  A  species  of  linen 
cloth ;  from  Doornik,  the  Flemish  form  of  Tournay,  in 
Belgium.  The  carpets  commonly  called  Brussels  are  made  at 
Doornik. 

DORNOCK.  A  kind  of  figured  linen,  made  at  Dornoch, 
Scotland. 

D'ORSAY.  Formerly  a  sort  of  overcoat  ;  named  after  the 
late  Count  d'Orsay.  An  article  of  furniture,  and  several 
other  things,  were  called  after  the  same  person, 

DORSTENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Urticacece ; 
named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Dorsten,  a  German  botanist. 

DOUGLASSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Primulacece ; 
called  after  Mr.  Douglas,  an  ardent  botanist. — Crahh. 

DOVERCOURT.  A  term  made  use  of  at  Dovercourt,  near 
Harwich,  in  Essex,  for  a  "  great  noise."  "  There  is  a  legend 
that  Dovercourt  Church  once  possessed  a  miraculous  cross 
which  spoke ;  thus  noticed  in  the  Collyer  of  Croyden : — 

'  And  now  the  rood  of  Dovercot 
Confirming  his  opinions  to  be  true  :' 

SO  that  it  is  possible,  as  Nares  suggests,  that  this  church  was 
the  scene  of  confusion  alluded  to  in  the  proverb,  '  Dovercourt — 
all  speakers  and  no  hearers.'  Foxe  (Martyrology,  vol.  ii. 
502)  states  that  "  a  rumour  was  spread  that  no  man  could  shut 


76  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

the  door,  which,  therefore,  stood  open  night  and  day ;  and  that 
the  resort  of  people  to  it  was  mucli  and  very  great."  Others 
think  the  proverb  may  have  arisen  from  the  fact  that  the  court 
held  at  Dovercourt  is  composed  chiefly  of  seamen. 

DOWLAS.  A  kind  of  coarse  linen  cloth  ;  probably  from 
the  proper  name  Douglas,  which  corrupts  into  Dowlas ; 
but  whether  from  a  surname  or  local  name  is  doubtful.  There 
is  the  Forest  of  Douglas,  in  Scotland,  whose  inhabitants  are 
much  engaged  in  cotton  weaving  and  spinning.  "  From  Dour- 
lans,  in  Picardy  "  {Richardsoii).  "  This  should  be  Doulens 
or  Doullens"  {S.  F.   C.) 

DREELITE.  A  mineral,  found  in  small  unmodified  crystals, 
and  in  the  cavities  of  a  quartzose  I'ock,  atBeaujeu,  dep.  Rhone; 
and  Badenweiler  (Baden);  named  by  Dufrenoy  after  M.  de 
Dree,  a  liberal  patron  of  science 

DRUGGET.  A  coarse  slight  woollen  fabric,  used  as  a 
protection  for,  and  sometimes  instead  of,  a  carpet.  The  Rev.  S. 
F.  Creswell  derives  the  name  from  Drogheda,  in  Ireland,  where 
it  is  said  to  have  been  first  manufactured.  Dr.  Johnson 
renders  it  "  a  slight  kind  of  woollen  stuff;"  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  it  was  anciently  used  as  an  article  of  attire. 

"  In  druggets  drest,  of  thirteen  pence  a  yard. 
See  Pliilip's  son  amidst  his  Prussian  guard." — Stoift. 

"  Even  I,  a  dunce  of  more  renown  than  they, 
Was  sent  before  but  to  prepare  thy  way ; 
And,  coarsely  clad  in  Norwich  drugget,  came 
To  teach  the  nations  in  thy  greater  name." 

Dryden  (Mac  Flecknoe). 

DRUMMOND  LIGHT.  A  very  intense  light,  produced  by 
turning  two  streams  of  gas,  one  oxygen,  the  other  hydro- 
gen, in  a  state  of  ignition,  upon  a  ball  of  lime ;  named  from 
the  inventor,  Lieut.  Drummond. 

DRYANDRA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Proteacece, 
named  after  Dryander,  a  Swedish  botanist. 

DUBOIvSIA.  A  genus  of  South  Australian  shrubs  ;  named 
in  memory  of  Louis  Dubois,  a  French  botanist. 

DUCAT.  A  coin  of  several  countries  of  Europe.  It  is  of 
silver  or  gold.     The  silver  ducat  is  generally  equal  to  4s.  6d. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  77 

sterling,  and  tlic  gold  ducat  is  of  twice  the  value.  Some  assert 
that  Roger  II.,  Duke  of  Apulia,  first  (in  11 40,  or,  as  others  say, 
in  1240  or  1280)  coined  the  gold  ducat  bearing  the  effigy  of 
Christ  with  the  following  legend: — "  Sit  tibi,  Christe,  datus, 
quern  tu  regis,  iste  ducatus  "  (Cf.  Zachenberg,  Diss,  de  Germ. 
Med.  X.  20,  p.  372  ;  and  Ducange).  According  to  others,  the 
origin  of  the  ducat  is  referred  to  one  Longinus,  governor  of 
Italy,  who,  revolting  against  the  Emperor  Justin  the  younger, 
made  himself  Duke  of  Ravenna,  and  called  himself  Exarcha, 
i.e.  without  lord  or  ruler';  and,  to  show  his  independence, 
struck  pieces  of  money  of  very  pure  gold,  in  his  own  name  and 
with  his  own  stamp,  which  were  called  ducati,  ducats,  in  the 
sixth  century  (Cf.  Procopius ;  Verg  Polydorus  de  Invent. 
Rer.  20). 

DUCATELLO.  An  Egyptian  silver  coin,  current  at  Alex- 
andria for  ten  medimni,  or  measures  of  capacity ;  a  diminutive 
of  Ducat,  q.v. 

DUCATOON.  A  silver  coin  ;  that  of  Venice  being  equal 
to  about  4s.  8d,  sterling  ;  that  of  Holland  about  5s.  6d.  ster- 
ling; a  diminutive  of  Ducat,  q.v. 

DUFFEL.  A  coarse  woollen  cloth  with  a  thick  nap  or 
frieze  ;  from  Duffel,  a  town  of  Belgium,  prov.  Antwerp,  having 
manufactures  of  linen  and  flax  spinning. 

DUFRENITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  phosphoric  acid, 
red  oxide  of  iron,  oxide  of  manganese,  protoxide,  and  water ; 
found  at  Siegen ;  Hirscherg  in  Reuss ;  and  Limoges,  France  ; 
named  after  Dufrene. 

DUFRfiNOYSITE,  A  mineral,  composed  of  lead,  silver, 
copper,  iron,  arsenic,  and  sulphur ;  found  with  realgar,  blende, 
and  pyrite,  in  the  dolomite  of  St.  Gothard  ;  named  after  M. 
Dufreynoy. 

DUMASINE.  An  empyreumatic  oil,  obtained  by  rectifying 
acetone  derived  from  the  acetates  ;  named  from  Dumas  ;  perhaps 
Charles  Louis  Dumas,  professor  of  anatomy  and  physiology  to 
the  University  of  Montpellier,  who  died  in  1806. 

DUMDUMMER.  In  Calcutta,  a  vehicle  ftxmiliarly  so 
called,  because  much  used  to  convey  passengers  to  Dum-Dum, 
near  Calcutta. 


78  VERBA    NOMINAT.IA. 

DUNCE.  A  person  of  weak  intellect  ;  adoltoi-  thickskull. 
Some  derive  the  word  from  L.  attonitus,  as  if  thunderstruck,  or 
struck  by  lightning ;  amazed,  astonished,  bewildered ;  others 
from  dumb,  q.d.  dmnps,  i.e.  dumbish.  "  Dujice  is  said 
by  Johnson  to  be  a  word  of  unknown  etymology  Stanihurst 
explains  it.  The  term  Duns,  from  Scotus,  '  so  famous  for  his 
subtill  quiddities,'  he  says,  '  is  so  trivial  and  common  in  all 
schools,  that  whoso  surpasseth  others  either  in  cavilling,  so- 
phistrie,  or  subtill  philosophic,  is  forthwith  nicknamed  a  Ditns.^ 
This,  he  tells  us  in  the  margin,  is  the  reason  '  why  schoolmen 
are  called  Dunses  '  (Description  of  Ireland,  p.  2),  The  word 
easily  passed  into  a  term  of  scorn,  just  as  a  blockhead  is 
called  a  Solomon,  a  bully  Hector,  and  as  Moses  is  the  vulgar 
name  of  contempt  for  a  Jew  "  (Dr.  Southey's  Omniana,  vol,  I. 
p.  5).—E.  H.  B. 

DURANTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Verhenacece ; 
named  after  M.  Durantes,  a  physician  and  botanist. 


B. 


EAU-DE-COLOGNE.  A  spirit  principally  used  as  a 
perfume ;  first  made  at  Cologne  by  Johann  Maria  Farina. 
There  are  are  at  present  twenty  or  thirty  persons  at  Cologne 
who  claim  to  be  makers  of  the  veritable  article. 

EDELFORSITE.  A  mineral ;  colour  white  or  gi-ayish  ; 
found  at  Aedelfors  in  Smaoland,  Cziklowa  in  the  Bannat,  and 
Gjelleback  in  Norway. 

EDENIZED.  Admitted  into  Paradise  (Davies)  ;  from  the 
Scripture  Eden. 

EDTNGTONITE.  A  mineral,  colour  grayish-white,  oc- 
curring in  the  Kilpatrick  Hills,  in  Scotland.  There  are  three 
places  named  Edington  in  England,  and  Edington  Castle 
CO.  Berwick.     Edington  is  also  a  personal  name. 

EGERAN.  A  sub-species  of  pyramidal  garnet,  occurring 
in  felspar  and  hornblende  at  Haslan,  near  Eger,  in  Bohemia. 

EHLITE.  A  mineral;  colour  verdigris-green;  found  at 
Ehl,  on  the  Rhine,  and  at  Nischne-Tajilsk,  in  the  Ural. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  79 

EHRETIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Ehretiacece  ;  called 
after  M.  Ehret,  a  German  botanical  draughtsman. —  Crahb. 

EKEBERGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of  which 
is  a  native  of  the  Cape  ;  named  by  Sparrman  in  honour  of  Sir 
C.  G.  Ekeberg,  who  first  brought  the  tea-plant  alive  to  Europe. 

EKEBERGITE.  A  mineral,  a  supposed  variety  of  scapo- 
lite ;  doubtless  named  after  AndrcAV  Gustavus  Ekeberg,  a  che- 
mist, who  was  born  at  Stockholm  in  1767,  became  chemical 
teacher  at  the  University  of  Upsal,  and  obtained  great  celebrity 
from  his  analysis  of  the  mineral  gadolinite,  and  many  other 
scientific  discoveries. 

ELECAMPANE.  A  plant,  named  also  starwort.  The 
word  in  Latin  is  written  Inula  and  Enula  campana,  and  is  de- 
rived from  helenium,  Gr.  sAeviov,  and  was  so  called  because  it 
was  said  to  have  sprung  from  the  tears  of  Helen  (EAsv)]). 
(See  Pliny).      Ccmijxma  signifies  a  bell. 

ELIZABETHAN.  Pertaining  to  Queen  Elizabeth  or  her 
times  ;  e.g.  to  the  styles  of  architecture,  literature,  &c.,  then 
prevalent. 

ELLISIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Hydrophi/llacecB  ;  so 
called  after  M.  J.  Ellis,  an  English  botanist. — Crabb. 

ELYSIAN.  Pertaining  to  Elysiurn  ;  yielding  the  highest 
pleasures  ;  deliciously  soothing  ;  exceedingly  delightful ;  as 
Elysian  Fields. 

ELZEVIR.  A  name  given  to  certain  editions  of  the  classics, 
&c.,  published  by  the  Elzevir  family  at  Amsterdam  and  Ley- 
den,  from  about  1595  to  1680,  and  highly  prized  for  their 
accuracy  and  elegance. 

ENFIELD.  A  celebrated  rifle,  first  manufactured  at  En- 
field, Middlesex,  but  now  also  at  other  places.  It  was  adopted 
for  public  service  in  1853. 

ENGLISHERIE.  The  state  or  privilege  of  being  an 
Englishman  (not  used),  "  which  it  was  necessary  to  prove  a 
man  to  be  in  the  reign  of  Canute,  in  case  he  was  murdered,  in 
order  that  the  hundred  might  be  exempt  from  the  amercement 
which  it  would  otherwise  have  been  liable  to." — Crabb. 

EOLIC.  A  dialect  of  the  Greek  language,  which  was  used 
by  the  inhabitants  of  Eolia,  in  Asia  Minor. 


80  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

fiPERNAY.  One  of  the  best  champagnes,  from  a  place  of 
the  same  name  in  France. 

£PERGNE.  (Fr.)  An  ornamental  stand  for  a  large  dish 
in  the  centre  of  a  table  {Smart)  ;  probably  made  at  fipergne, 
in  France. 

EPHESIAN.  One  of  a  dissolute  life  {Shah.)  ;  so  called 
from  Ephesus,  in  Asia  Minor,  one  of  the  most  splendid  cities  of 
antiquity,  whose  inhabitants  are  said  to  have  lead  a  Sybarite  life. 

EPHESITE.  A  mineral,  placed  by  Dr.  Smith  near  mar- 
garite  ;   found  with  the  emery  of  Gumuch-dagh,  near  Ephesus. 

EPICTETAN.  Pertaining  to  Epictetus,  a  Stoic  philosopher 
in  the  time  of  the  Roman  emperor  Domitian. — Arhuthnot. 

EPICURE.  One  devoted  to  sensual  enjoyments ;  hence, 
one  who  indulges  in  the  luxuries  of  the  table ;  a  follower  of 
Epicurus,  the  ancient  Greek  philosopher,  who,  however,  lived 
chiefly  on  bread  and  water,  and  placed  the  sniiwmm  honum  in 
tranquillity  of  mind ;  but  whose  followers  disregarded  his 
principles. 

EPICUREAN.  Pertaining  to  Epicurus,  as  the  Epicurean 
philosophy  or  tenets  ;  a  follower  of  Epicurus  ;  one  given  to  the 

luxuries  of  the  table. A  sauce  made  of  Indian  soy,   chili 

vinegar,  walnut  catsup,  and  mushroom  catsup. 

EPICURIANISM.  Attachment  to  the  doctrines  of  Epi- 
curus. 

EPICURISM.  Luxury,  sensual  enjoyments ;  indulgences 
in  gross  pleasure  ;  voluptuousness  ;  the  doctrines  of  Epicurus. 

EPSOMITE.  A  mineral  common  in  mineral  waters,  as  at 
Epsom,  and  as  an  efflorescence  on  rocks  in  many  other  places. 

ERASTIANISM.  The  principles  of  the  Erastians,  fol- 
lowers of  Thomas  Erastus,  a  German,  who  maintained  that  the 
church  is  "  a  mere  creature  of  the  state,"  dependent  upon  it  for 
its  existence,  and  for  all  its  powers. 

ERDMANNITE.  A  mineral,  colour  dark  brown,  found  in 
the  isle  of  Stoko,  in  the  Langesundfiord ;  named  after  M. 
Erelmann. 

ESCALLONIA.  A  genus  of  S.  American  plants,  inhabiting 
Alpine  regions ;  named  after  their  discoverer,  Escallon,  a 
Spanish  botanist. 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  81 

ESCULAPIAN.  Medical ;  pertaining  to  the  healing  art 
{Young)  ;  from  ^sculapius,  the  celebrated  physician. 

ESMARKITE.  A  mineral,  a  silicate ;  named  after  M. 
Esmark.  Two  different  minerals  appear  to  bo  confounded 
under  this  name. 

EUGENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Monogynia ; 
named  by  Micheli  after  Prince  Eugene  of  Savoy,  who  sent 
him  from  Germany  nearly  all  the  plants  described  by  Clusius. 

EUGENIE.     A  carriage  named  after  the  Empress  Eugenie. 

EUGUBINE.  A  name  given  to  certain  bronze  tables 
having  five  inscriptions  in  the  Umbrian  language,  mixed  with 
Etruscan,  and  two  in  Latin  characters,  containing  facts  relative 
to  the  wars  of  Italy  ;  found  at  Eugubio  or  Gubbio,  a  town  of 
Umbria,  in  1444, 

EUMACHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Monogynia  ;  natives 
of  Australia ;  named  after  Eumachus,  a  Greek  wi-iter  cited  by 
Theophrastus. 

EUMENIDIA.  Festivals  celebrated  by  the  Athenians  in 
honour  of  the  Eumenides,  another  name  for.  the  Furies. 

EUPATORINA.  An  alkaloid  obtained  from  Eupatorium 
cannabimnn.     See  Eupatorium. 

EUPATORIUM.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Compositce, 
the  species  of  which  are  known  as  hemp  agrimony ;  called 
after  its  discoverer,  Mithridates,  surnamed  Eupator. 

EUSTACHIAN.  A  term  applied  to  a  slender  tube,  af- 
fording a  passage  for  the  air  from  a  cavity  in  the  ear  to  the 
back  part  of  the  mouth  and  the  external  air ;  named  after  its 
discoverer,  Eustachius,  a  distinguished  Italian  physician,  who 
flourished  in  the  sixteenth  century  at  Rome.  The  Eustachian 
valve  is  a  fold  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  auricle  of  the 
heart. 

EUTERPEAN.  A  term  often  given  to  music  clubs  ;  from 
Euterpe,  the  muse  who  presides  over  wind  instruments. 

EUTYCHIANISM.  The  doctrines  of  Eutychius  (Welster). 
Eutychius,  who  lived  a.d.  443,  held  that  the  divine  and  human 
natures  of  Christ,  after  their  union,  became  so  blended  to- 
gether as  to  constitute  but  one  nature. 


a 


82  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 


F. 

FABIAN.  Delaying,  dilatory,  avoiding  battle,  in  imitation 
of  Quintus  Fabius  Maximus,  a  Roman  general,  who  conducted 
military  operations  against  Hannibal,  by  declining  to  risk  a 
battle  in  the  open  field,  but  harassing  the  enemy  by  marches, 
counter-marches,  and  ambuscades. —  Webster. 

FABRICIA.  A  genus  of  Australian  shrubs ;  named  in 
honour  of  the  celebrated  entomologist  Johann  Christian 
Fabricius,  i3upil  of  Liunteus,  and  author  of  Systema  Ento- 
mologige,  in  1775. 

FAGONIA.  Herbaceous  plants  with  a  woody  base,  nat.  or. 
RutacecB  ;  named  by  Tournefort  in  compliment  to  M.  Fagon, 
principal  physician  to  Louis  XIV.,  and  a  great  patron  of 
botany.  He  was  one  of  the  chief  promoters  of  Tournefort's 
journey  to  the  Levant,  which  he  strongly  recommended  to  the 
consideration  of  his  sovereign.  See  Tourn.  Inst.  265,  t.  141  ; 
Linn.  Gen.  212;  and  Mart-Mill.  Diet.  v.  2. 

FAHLUNITE.  A  mineral  occurring  in  opaque,  brownish- 
green,  six-side  prisms,  transversely  foliated  ;  from  Fahlun,  in 
Sweden. 

FAHRENHEIT.  An  arrangement  of  the  thermometrical 
scale,  in  which  the  space  between  the  freezing  and  the  boiling 
points  of  water,  under  a  medium  pressure  of  the  atmosphere, 
is  divided  into  180°  ;  the  freezing  point  being  marked  32°,  and 
the  boiling  212°  ;  invented  by  Fahrenheit,  of  Amsterdam,  in 
1720.     See  also  Philos.  Trans.  Roy.  Soc.  vol.  xxxiii. 

FAIENCE.  Imitation  porcelain ;  a  kind  of  fine  pottery 
embellished  with  painted  designs  ;  from  Faenza  (Faventia),  in 
Italy,  where  first  made. 

FALERNIAN.  An  Italian  wine  celebrated  by  Horace,  and 
made  at  Falernus.  According  to  Mazella,  Mount  Falernus  is 
now  called  Rocca  di  Mondragone  ;  Baudraud  says,  Monte 
Massico.     Pliny  praises  the  pears  of  Falernus. 

FALKIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Nolanacece ;  called 
after  Falk,  a  Swedish  botanist. — Crahb. 

FALLOPIAN.     A  term  applied  to  two  ducts  arising  from 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  83 

the  womb,  usually  called  tubes  ;  first  described  by  Fallopius,  a 
celebrated  anatomist  of  the  sixteenth  century,  and  pupil  of 
Versalius. 

FAMAGUSTA.  An  apple  ;  from  Famagosta,  in  the  isle 
of  Cyprus. 

FANCHONNETTE.  In  pastry,  an  entre-niets  made  of  fine 
pufi"  paste  and  apricot  or  peach  jam;  from  Fanchonneite,  a 
French  name  formed  from  Franqoise. 

FARO.  A  game  at  cards,  in  which  one  plays  against  the 
bank  kept  by  the  proprietor  of  the  table.  The  name  was 
formerly  written  pharaoh  (Fr.  faron),  the  common  title  of  the 
kings  of  anc.  Egypt,  The  game  is  not  now  played — certainly 
not  in  France. 

FARSETIA.  A  genus  of  cruciferous  plants,  with  purple 
or  light  yellow  flowers ;  named  after  P.  Farseti,  an  Italian 
botanist. 

FASSAITE.  A  mineral;  a  variety  of  pyroxene,  found  in 
the  Fassa  Thai,  North  Tyrol. 

FAUJASITE.  A  mineral;  a  hydrous  silicate,  occurring 
at  Kaiserstuhl,  in  Baden ;  named  by  Damour  after  Faujas  de 
Saint  Fond. 

FAUNA.     The   various  kinds    of  minoraki    peculiar   to    a   -o^t/'niuzy^ 
country  constitute  its  Fauna,  as  the  various  choice  plants  con- 
stitute its  Flora.      The  term  is  derived  from  the  Fauni,  rural 
deities  in  Roman  mythology. 

FAUNIST.  One  who  attends  to  rural  disquisitions  ;  a 
naturalist.     See  Fauna. 

FAYALITE.  A  mineral  found  in  large  nodules  and  angu- 
lar pieces  on  the  sea-shore  in  Fayal,  and  also  in  Ireland. 

FENUGREEK.  A  plant  allied  to  clover,  whose  seeds  are 
used  by  farriers  in  cataplasms  and  fomentations  ;  from  L.  fcenum 
Grcecwn,  Greek  hay. 

FERGUSONITE.  An  ore,  consisting  of  columbic  acid, 
and  yttria,  with  some  oxide  of  cerium  and  zii'conia;  brought  from 
Cape  Farewell ;  named  after  Robert  Ferguson,  Esq.,  of  Raith. 

FERRARA  (ANDREA).  A  celebrated  sword  named  after 
its  maker,  who  worked  either  in  Spain  or  the  Spanish  Nether- 
lands. 

G  2 


84  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

FERRARIA.  A  genus  of  bulbous  plants,  natives  of  the 
Cape  and  South  America ;  named  after  J.  B.  Ferrari,  an 
Italian  botanist. 

FESCENNINE.  Licentious;  a  licentious  gay  song,  a 
nuptial  song.  Fesceunine  verses  were  gay,  satirical,  rude,  or 
licentious  verses  sung  by  young  men  at  weddings  and  before 
the  nuptial  chamber,  and  were  so  called  from  having  origi- 
nated at  Fescennium,  a  town  of  ancient  Etruria,  near  the 
present  site  of  Civita  Castellana.  The  same  name  was  applied 
to  pieces  of  poetry  recited  by  youths  at  rustic  festivals,  and 
sung  by  country  people  at  harvest  time.  This  is  a  very 
ancient  custom  in  Italy,  and  the  practice  of  making  licentious 
jokes  upon  each  other,  and  upon  strangers  passing  by,  is 
very  prevalent  among  the  vintagers. 

FEVILLEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  chief  species  of  which 
are  natives  of  Brazil;  called  in  South  America  ghandir- 
hoba  ;  held  in  great  repute  as  an  antidote  to  various  poisons  ; 
named  in  honour  of  Louis  Feuillee,  a  French  Franciscan  monk, 
Peruvian  traveller,  and  botanist,  who  died  in  1732. 

FEZ  (Turc.  fess).  A  name  by  which  the  red  woollen 
skull-caps  or  tarbouch  are  known  in  Turkey  and  the  Levant. 
They  had  their  name  from  Fez  or  Fas,  capital  of  the  province 
of  the  same  name  in  Morocco,  where  they  were  first  made. 
The  town  has  a  large  commerce  with  the  interior  of  Africa, 
and  is  still  famous  for  its  silk  stuifs,  gauzes,  fine  figured  girdles 
of  gold  and  silk,  moroccoes,  arms,  saddlery,  &c.  The  fezzes 
are  now  principally  made  at  Constantinople.  The  Turks  call 
the  caps  of  Tunis  fesi  tounes. 

FIACRE.  A  French  hackney  coach  ;  so  named  because 
the  first  hackney  coach  set  up  in  Paris  customarily  started 
from  the  Hotel  St.  Fiacre.  Compare  our  "  Elephants,"  "  Eyre 
Arms,"  "  Favourites,"  "  Royal  Blues,"  &c.  "  Le  mot  Jiacre 
vient  de  ce  que  les  premiers  carrosses  de  cette  espece  logeaient 
a  I'image  Saint  Fiacre,  dans  la  rue  Saint  Antoine." 

FICHTELITE.    A  resin  found  in  flat  acicular  crystals,  in  a 
bed  of  turf  at  Redwitz,  near  the  Fichtelgebirge. 
■^  FILBERT.     The  fruit  of  the  cultivated  Corylus  or  hazel. 
Bailey  writes,  "  Filberds,  of  full  and  heard,  the  skin   thereof 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  85 

being  covered  with  a  down,  like  the  first  appearance  of  the 
beard  upon  the  chin  ;"  but  the  first  syUable  is  rather  from  the 
L.  avellcma,  id.  Avellana  nuces,  filberts  ;  lit.  nuts  of  Abella  or 
Avella,   a   town  of  Campania.     Conf.  Macrob. ;    also   Virg. ; 
and  Sil.     Minshew  says,  "  filberd  or  hazel-nut,   q.  Belg.  wild- 
beijer,   i.   acinus   sive   fructus   sylvestris.     Fr.   aueldine,   Port. 
auelad,  It.   D.   Lat.  auelldna,  primum  dictae  sunt  abellinse,  ab 
Abellino,  Campaniae  oppido,  quod  inVirgilio  appellatur  Abella, 
aut  Auella,   nux  est   coryli  arboris,   quae  alio  nomine  dicitur 
Nux  Pontica  quod  in  Asia  Greciamque  primum  e  Ponto  vene- 
rit ;    et  Pi'JEuestina  qviod  Praenestini  his  abundant,   sive   (ut 
Macrob.  placet)  quod  Praenestini  ab  Annibale  obsidione  cincti, 
his   nucibus    famem    toleraverint."      Filbert   may    have  been 
anciently  written  avel-nut ;  and  afterwards  vel-nut,  Jil-nut,fil-but; 
whence  Jllbei-t.    There  are  still  towns  in  Naples  called  Avella  and 
Avellino,  and  to  this  day  the  neighbourhood  of  the  latter  abounds 
in  chestnuts  and  hazel  nuts.  The  latter  were  much  prized  by  the 
Romans,  and  are  still  celebrated  under  the  name  of  Avellino 
nuts.     "  Hazel-nuts  are   the  fruit  of  the  wild  bush  of  Cori/lus 
Avellana,   unchanged  and  unimproved  by  cultivation.     They 
are  brought  from   Spain,    the    south    of   France,    and    Italy, 
The    finest    kinds,    called    Avelines,    are    brought    to    Paris 
from    several    quarters,    as    from     Toulon,    Languedoc,    and 
Piedmont." 

FILIPPO.  An  old  silver  coin  of  Milan  equal  to  4s.  8^d.  ; 
doubtless  first  struck  in  the  reign  of  Philipp  Marie,  son  of  the 
Duke  John  Galeacius,  who  succeeded  his  brother  Johann 
Marie  in  1412. A  money  of  Modena  equal  to  6fr.  13c. 

FIORITE.     A  siliceous  incrustation  ;  from -F/ora,  in  Ischia. 

FLACOURTIA.  A  genus  of  shrubs,  named  after  M.  de 
Flacourt,  a  director  of  the  French  India  Company. 

FLEMINGIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants  ;  named  after 
Dr.  John  Fleming. 

FLORALIA.  Festivals  held  by  the  Romans  in  honour  of 
Flora,  goddess  of  flowers.  Hence  floral,  pertaining  to  Flora; 
as  floral  games. 

FLOREN,  FLORENCE.  A  gold  coin  of  the  time  of 
Edward  III.,  equal  to  Qs.  sterling. 


86  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

FLORENCE.     A  kind  of  wine  from  Florence. A  kind 

of  cloth. — Webster. 

FRIDAY  (G.  freitag.  Plat,  freedag,  D.  vrijdag,  Fries,  fvedi, 
A.  S.  frigdcEg).  The  sixth  day  of  the  week  ;  Friga's  day,  the 
day  on  which  our  ancestors  worshipped  Friga,  Frega,  or  Frea, 
consort  of  Woden,  Wodin,  or  Odin  ;  and  Venus  of  the  northern 
nations. 

FLORENTINE.     A  kind  of  silk  cloth  from  Florence. 

A  marble  (called  also  landscape  marble)  in  which  the  figures 

of    buildings    &c.    are   naturally   represented. A    sort   of 

baked  tart  or  pudding. 

FLORIN.  A  name  given  to  several  coins  of  gold  or 
silver,  of  different  values  in  different  countries;  the  silver 
florin  varying  from  Is.  to  Is.  Ad.  sterling;  the  gold  florin  of 
Hanover  being  valued  at  6s.  \\d.  sterling.  It  is  also  used  as 
a  money  of  account  {Kelly).  The  name  is  said  to  be  derived 
from  fiorino,  originally  a  gold  coin  first  struck  at  Florence  in 
1252.  According  to  others,  it  was  named  after  Lucius  Aquilius 
Florus,  who  impressed  it  with  the  head  of  Augustus  on  one 
side,  and  on  the  other  with  a  flower,  with  these  words,  "  Lucius 
Aquilius  Florus  III.,  vir."  Menage  says  this  is  ridiculous, 
and  he  asserts  that  it  was  named  from  the  Jleur  de  lis,  the 
arms  of  Florence,  which  Avere  stamped  upon  it.  "  Fiorino, 
moneta  d'oro  battuta  nella  citta  di  Firenze ;  e  cosi  detta  dal 
giglio  fiore,  impreso  d'essa  citta,  impressovi  dentro." 

FLOUNCE.  A  narrow  piece  of  cloth  sewed  to  a  petticoat, 
frock,  or  gown,  with  the  lower  border  loose  and  spreading  ;  per- 
haps the  same  as  the  O.  'E.ng.  florouns  (Fr.Jleuron),  a  border  of 
flower-work  or  Jlorences,  a  sort  of  cloth  from  Florence. 

FLUELLEN  or  FLUELLIN.  The  plant  speedwell;  from 
the  surname  Fluellyn,  a  Celtic  corruption  of  Lewellyn. 

FONTANESIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  an  evergreen  shrub, 
native  of  Syria ;  named  after  M.  Desfontaines,  author  of  Flora 
Atlantica. 

FORNACALIA.  Moveable  feasts  held  among  the  ancient 
Romans  in  honour  of  the  goddess  Fornax  or  Fornix.  They 
were  first  instituted  by  Numa  ;  the  Quirinalia  being  instituted 
for  the  sake  of  those  Avho  had  not  kept  the  Fornacalia.     They 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  87 

were  solemnized  with  sacrifices,  performed  before  the  mouth  of 
an  oven,  wherein  they  dried  their  corn,  baked  their  bread,  &c. 
The  grand  curio  pi'oclaimed  the  time  of  celebration  every 
twelfth  of  the  kalends  of  March. 

FORSKOHLEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Pentagynia,  whose 
species  are  natives  of  the  Cape  and  of  Teneriffe ;  named  in 
memory  of  Forskohl,  a  Swedish  botanist. 

FORSTERITE.  A  crystallized  mineral  containing  silica 
and  magnesia,  found  at  Vesuvius  with  pleonaste  and  pyroxene  ; 
named  after  Mr.  Foster. 

FORSYTHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  which,  in  the  Lin- 
naean  system,  there  is  but  a  single  species,  a  native  of  Carolina; 
named  in  honour  of  William  Forsyth. 

FORUM.  A  tribunal,  a  court ;  any  assembly  empowered 
to  hear  and  decide  causes  ;  also  jurisdiction  ;  named  from  the 
Forum  at  Rome,  a  public  place  where  causes  were  judicially 
tried,  and  orations  delivered  to  the  people. 

FOSTERA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  but  one  species,  a  native 
of  New  Zealand ;  named  in  memory  of  J.  R.  Foster  and 
G.  Foster,  father  and  son,  who,  in  a  voyage  round  the  world, 
collected  and  described  many  new  genera  and  species  of  plants. 
FOTHERGILLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of 
which  is  F.  anifolia,  native  of  Carolina ;  named  after  Dr. 
John  Fothergill. 

FOURIERISM.  The  system  of  Charles  Fourier,  a  Frencn- 
man,  who  recommends  the  reorganization  of  society  into  small 
communities  living  in  common, 

FOURIERITE.     One  who  favours  Fourierism. 
FRANC.    A  French  silver  coin  equal  to  about  \0d.  sterling, 
so  named  from  Francia,  France. 

FRANCESCONE.  A  silver  coin  in  Tuscany,  of  10  paoli, 
equal  to  4s.  6d.  sterling ;  doubtless  named  from  Francesco,  one 
of  the  Dukes  of  Tuscany. 

FRANGIPANE.  A  celebrated  essence  used  to  perfume 
the  gloves  called  "  gants  de  Frangipane  ;"  first  made  by  Mutio 
Frangipanni,  who  was  both  a  Roman  noble  and  a  noble  Roman, 
he  having  distributed  bread  amongst  the  people  in  time  of 
famine,  whence  his  name.     Near  Fiume,  in  Hungary,  is  still 


88  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

to  be  seen  an  old  castle  which  formerly  belonged  to  the  Frangi. 
panni.  Bescherelle  doubts  this  derivation,  and  thinks  the  word 
may  be  from '■' frangipanier,  arbre  odoriferant  et  laiteux ;"  or 
contracted  from  two  Italian  words  signifying   "  pain   ou   pate 

odoriferante." A   stomachic  made  by    Frangipanni,    and 

called  by  him  rosolis  (ros  solis,  sun-dew). A  sort  of  pastry 

(tourte  de  frangipane,  tarte  a  la  frangipane)  containing  cream 
and  almonds. An  extract  of  milk  for  preparing  arti- 
ficial milk,  made  by  evaporating  skimmed  milk  to  dryness, 
mixed  with  almonds  and  sugar. 

FRANCOA.  A  genus  of  perennial  plants,  named  after 
Franco,  a  Spanish  physician  and  botanist  of  the  sixteenth 
century. —  W light. 

FRANKENIA.  Sea  heath,  a  genus  of  small  jDerennial 
plants,  named  after  John  Frankenius,  a  Swedish  botanist. 

FRANKLINITE.  A  mineral  compound  of  iron,  zinc,  and 
manganese,  found  in  New  Jersey  ;  named  from  Dr.  Franklin. 
— Cleaveland. 

FREDERICK  or  FREDERICK  D'OR.  A  gold  coin  of 
Px'ussia,  equal  to  16s.  3|cZ. ;  named  after  one  of  its  monarchs 
(Frederick  the  Great  ?) 

FREISLEBEN  or  FRIESLEBENITE.  A  mineral  of  a 
blue  or  bluish-grey  colour,  occurring  in  the  Himmelsfiirst  at 
Freiberg,  in  Saxony,  and  at  other  places  in  Europe.  Friesleben 
is  a  local  surname. 

FRONTINIAC  or  FRONTIGNAC.  A  French  wine,  so 
called  from  Frontenac,  in  Languedoc,  where  it  is  produced. 

FUCHSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  whose  species  are  very 
numerous;  all  natives  of  Ameinca,  chiefly  of  Mexico  and 
Chili ;  named  in  honour  of  Leonard  Fuchs  or  Fuchsius, 
physician  and  botanist,  born  at  Wembdingen,  in  Bavaria,  in 
1501. 

FUCHSIASINE.  A  kind  of  purple  produced  chemically 
from  the  refuse  matter  of  our  gas-works.     See  Fuchsia. 

FUDGE.  A  made-up  story;  stuflT;  nonsense;  an  exclama- 
tion of  contempt  {Goldsmith).  "  Todd  does  not  trace  it  beyond 
Goldsmith  (Vicar  of  Wakefield),  but  it  is  no  invention  of  his. 
In  a  pamphlet  entitled,  'Remarks  upon  the  Navy,  1700,'  the 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  89 

term  is  declared  to  have  been  the  name  of  a  nautical  personage 
who  lived  in  the  lifetime  of  the  writer.  '  There  was  in  our 
time  one  Captain  Fudge,  commander  of  a  merchantman,  who 
upon  a  return  from  a  voyage,  however  ill  fraught  soever  his 
ship  was,  always  brought  home  his  owners  a  good  stock  of 
lies,  so  much  so  that  now  aboard  ship  the  sailors,  when  they 
hear  a  great  lie  told,  cry  out.  You  fudge  it.'  "  (Disraeli's 
Curiosities  of  Literature,  article  "  Neology.") 

FUIRENA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species,  F. 
paniculata ;  native  of  Surinam ;  named  after  Fuiren,  a 
Danish  botanist. 

FUSTIAN.  A  coarse  twilled  cotton  stuff,  embracing 
pillow,  corduroy,  velveteen,  &c.  Some  derive  the  word  from 
fustanum,  used  by  corrupt  Latin  writers  in  the  same  sense  ; 
supposed  from  L.  fustis,  because  a  sort  of  fustian  is  made 
from  a  wood  which  bears  cotton.  Bochart  (with  whom 
Menage  agrees)  derives  the  word  from  Fustdt,  the  Arabic 
name  of  Memphis  or  Misr,  in  Egypt,  where  it  was  first 
made,  and  where  cotton  was  produced  in  great  abundance. 
Menage  also  informs  us  that  in  Arabic  they  call  alfusta 
"a  house  whose  walls  are  hung  with  fustian"  {fustdt, 
tentorium  jjec.  ex  pilis  caprinis).  Cf.  Elmain,  Hist.  Saras, 
liv.    1,   chap.    3 ;    Voss  de   Vit.   Serm.    liv.    2  ;    Du   Cange, 

Gloss. An  inflated  style  of   writing ;    a  kind  of  writing 

in  which  high-sounding  words  are  used,  above  the  dignity 
of  the  thoughts  or  subject  ;  a  swelling  style  ;  bombast. 
Indeed  the  stuff  may,  like  that  called  bombast,  have  been 
used  to  swell  out  garments.  Bailey  seems  to  think  that 
fustian  in  the  second  sense  of  the  word  may  also  be  from 
Gr.  (fjucn^roe,  blown  wg. 

FUSTIANIST.     One  who  writes  bombast.— l/z7to?i. 


G. 

GADOLINITE.  A  mineral ;  colour  blackish,  having  the 
appearance  of  vitreous  lava;  called  after  Professor  Gadolin. 
It  contains  the  earth  called  ittria. 


90  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

GAHNITE.  A  mineral  containing  oxide  of  zinc  in  com- 
bination with  alumina  and  oxide  of  iron ;  named  after  Gahn, 
its  discoverer. 

GALATEA.  A  name  given  by  M.  Tempel  to  the 
secondary  planet  discovered  by  him  at  Marseilles  on  the  29th 
Aug.  1862;  from  Galatea,  daughter  of  Nereus  and  Doris. 

GALENIC.  The  appellation  given  to  certain  remedies, 
consisting  of  preparations  of  herbs  and  roots  by  infusion, 
decoction,  &c.,  conformable  to  the  rules  of  the  celebrated  phy- 
sician Galen. 

GALENISM.     The  doctrines  of  Galen. 

GALIGNANI.  A  daily  newspaper  in  English  published 
in  Paris ;  named  from  the  publishers,  Galignani  &  Co.,  Rue 
de  Rivoli. 

GALILEAN.  The  name  of  a  refracting  telescope,  in  which 
the  eyeglass  is  a  concave  instead  of  a  convex  lens ;  so 
named  because  originally  adopted  by  Galileo,  the  celebrated 
astronomer. 

GALILEE.  A  large  portico,  porch,  or  chapel,  usually 
situated  at  or  near  the  west  end  of  great  abbey  churches, 
although  the  word  has  also  been  frequently,  but  improperly, 
used  to  designate  the  nave  of  the  church.  The  term  is  sup- 
posed by  some  to  have  arisen  from  the  fact  that  in  ancient 
times,  when  any  female  applied  at  the  abbey  gate  for  leave  to 
see  her  relative,  who  was  a  monk,  she  was  directed  to  the 
western  porch  of  the  church,  and  told  in  the  words  of  Scrip- 
ture, "  He  goeth  before  you  into  Galilee  ;  there  shall  you  see 
him."  One  writer,  speaking  of  the  galilee  at  Durham,  says, 
"  As  this  building  was  erected  expressly  for  the  use  of  females, 
and  as,  according  to  Gervase,  all  interviews  between  the  males 
and  their  female  relatives  took  place  in  these  porches  or  chapels, 
the  name  may  have  been  given  to  denote  that  the  monks,  in 
their  occasional  interviews  with  women,  were  to  be  as  cautious 
and  guarded  as  the  Jews,  who  dwelt  in  Judea  in  the  south,  and 
in  Samaria,  in  the  centre  of  Palestine,  were,  in  their  communi- 
cations with  the  people  of  Galilee,  termed  Galilee  of  the 
Gentiles,  because  it  was  peopled  chiefly  by  Phoenicians, 
Syrians,  and  Arabians."     Another  writer  says,  "  The  galilee 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  91 

porch  or  chapel  was  always  considered  as  somewhat  loss 
sacred  than  the  other  portions  of  the  sacred  edifice"  {Bloxani). 
*'  Comparatively  speaking,  it  was  '  looked  down  upon ;'  it  was 
the  despised  portion  of  the  sacred  building  ;  it  was  the  farthest 
distance  (either  literally  or  figuratively)  from  the  altar  or 
holy  place.  And  this  is  the  reason  why,  as  it  seems  to  me, 
this  ^porch  or  chapel  was  called  '  the  Galilee,'  that  is  to  say, 
'  the  despised  place.'  For  what  was  the  geographical  Galilee 
but  the  despised  place  ?  Not  only  locally,  but  figuratively,  it 
was  considered  to  be  far  off  from  the  Holy  City." 

GALLICISM.  A  mode  of  speech  peculiar  to  the  French 
nation  ;  an  idiomatic  manner  of  using  words  in  the  French 
or  Gallic  language. 

GALLIGASKINS.  Large  open  hose  ;  used  only  in  ludi- 
crous language  (Philips)  ;  said  to  be  from  caligce  Vasconum, 
Gascon  hose.  Bailey  says,  "  Galligaskins  (q.d.  caligce  Gallo- 
Vasconicce,  so  called  because  the  Vascones  used  such  instead  of 
splatterdashes),  a  sort  of  wide  slops  or  breeches  used  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Gascoign,  in  France." 

GALLIO.  One  indifferent  in  matters  of  opinion.  "  Then 
all  the  Greeks  took  Sosthenes,  the  chief  ruler  of  the  synagogue, 
and  beat  him  before  the  judgment-seat.  And  Gallio  cared  for 
none  of  those  things  (Acts  xviii.  17). — S.  F.  Creswell. 

GALLITZINITE.  Rutile,  an  ore  of  titanium  ;  named 
after  one  of  the  Gallitzins,  a  princely  Eussian  family ; 
probably  from  Demetrius  de  Gallitzin,  the  celebrated  mine- 
ralogist and  naturalist ;  author  of  several  works,  and  president 
of  the  mineralogical  society  of  Yena. 

GALLOWAY.  A  horse  of  a  small  size,  first  bred  in 
Galloway,  Scotland. 

GALOSH  or  GOLOSH  (Fr.  galoche,  Sp.  galocha,  a 
clog  or  wooden  shoe).  A  patten,  clog,  or  wooden  shoe, 
or  a  shoe  to  be  worn  over  another  shoe  to  keep  the  foot 
dry  ;  said  to  be  from  the  L.  gallicce,  wooden  pattens,  lit. 
Gaulish  shoes.  It  is  now  made  generally  of  India  rubber 
and  gutta  percha. 

GALVANISM.  A  method  in  which  electricity  is  de- 
veloped  without  the   aid   of  friction,   and  in  which   chemical 


92  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

action  takes  place  between  certain  bodies ;  named  from 
Galvani,  of  Bologna,  the  discoverer. 

GALVANIZED.  Affected  with  galvanism.  Galvanized 
iron  is  a  name  given  to  sheets  of  iron  which  are  first  dipped 
into  melted  zinc,  and  then  into  melted  tin,  and  are  thus  pre- 
pared, by  the  supposed  galvanic  action  of  these  metals,  to 
resist  oxidation. 

GAMBOGE.  A  resinous  juice,  produce  of  a  tree,  the 
Gamhogia  gutta,  or  Garcina  Gambogia,  used  as  a  pigment,  and 
in  medicine  as  a  drastic  purge  ;  brought  from  Cambodia,  Cam- 
bodja,  orCambogia,  an  extensive  country  without  the  Ganges. 

GAMBROON.  A  kind  of  twilled  linen  cloth  for  linings  ; 
perhaps  originally  from  Gombroon,  a  seaport  of  Persia,  con- 
venient for  Kerman,  which  has  a  trade  in  carpets. 

GARCINIA.  A  genus  of  Asiatic  trees,  among  the  chief 
species  of  which  are  Mangostan  or  Mangosteen,  common  in 
Java  and  the  Molucca  Islands,  whose  fruit  is  esteemed  the 
most  delicious  and  salubrious  of  all  Oriental  fruits ;  named  in 
honour  of  Dr.  Laurence  Garcin,  the  Oriental  traveller,  w^ho 
accurately  described  it. 

GARDENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  containing  about  fifty 
species  of  trees  and  shrubs,  chiefly  natives  of  the  East  Indies 
and  the  Cape  ;  named  in  honour  of  the  eminent  Scottish  botanist 
and  zoologist  Alexander  Garden,  who  died  in  1791. 

GARDNERIA.  A  genus  of  East  India  climbing  shrubs  ; 
named  in  honour  of  the  Hon.  Edward  Gardner. 

GARIBALDI.  A  dress  or  jacket  worn  by  ladies  ;  made 
after  the  fashion  of  a  garment  worn  by  Garibaldi  and  his 
soldiers,  the  Garibaldini. 

GARIDELLA.  A  genus  of  small,  slender,  erect  herbs ; 
named  in  honour  of  Pierre  Garidel,  M.D. 

GASCONADE  (Fr.  gasconade).  A  boasting  ;  a  vaunt ;  a 
bravado  ;  a  bragging  ;  so  called  from  the  people  of  Gascony, 
who  are  noted  for  boasting  : — 


'' Voila  Philisj  quant  aux  Gascons, 
II  etait  Gascon,  c'est  tout  dire; 
Je  laisse  a  penser  si  le  sire 
Importuna  la  veuve,  ct  s'il  fit  des  serments. 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  93 

"Ceux  des  Gascons  et  des  Normands 
Passent  peu  pour  mots  d'Evangile." 


"Sans  etre  Gascon, }&  puis  dire 
Que  je  suis  un  merveilleux  sire." 


La  Fontaine. 


GAULTHERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Ericacece ; 
called  after  Gaulthier,  a  botanist  of  Canada. — Crabb. 

GAUZE  (Fr.  gaze,  Amor,  gazen,  Sp.  gasa).  A  very  thin, 
slight,  transparent  stuff  of  silk  or  linen.  The  word  is  said  to 
have  had  its  name  from  Gaza,  in  Palestine,  where  it  was 
first  manufactured.  It  may,  however,  be  from  the  L.  gossi- 
pium  or  gossipion,  the  cotton  tree  ;  or  gausape,  gausapa,  gausa- 
pum,  gausap)es,  a  kind  of  thick  woollen  cloth;  a  frieze  or  rough 
garment  Avhich  soldiers  used;  a  furred-  coat,  a  hair  mantle; 
Gr.  yauffOLitrii. 

GAVOT  (Fr.  gavotte,  formerly  gavote;  Sp.  gavota).  A 
kind  of  dance  or  tune,  the  air  of  which  has  two  brisk  and 
lively  strains  in  common  time,  each  of  which  is  played  twice 
over  (Encyc.)  The  word  is  said  to  be  derived  from  the 
Gavots,  a  people  inhabiting  the  mountainous  region  called 
Gap,  in  France.  Lamartiniere  mentions  Gavot  as  the  name 
of  a  little  district  of  Savoy,  in  the  Chablais,  the  principal 
places  in  which  are  Evian  and  St.  Gigo. 

GAY-LUSSITE.  A  crystalline  mineral  substance,  found 
in  South  America  ;  named  after  the  French  chemist,  Gay- 
Lussac. 

GEIILENITE.  A  mineral  of  a  greyish  colour,  consisting 
chiefly  of  silica,  alumina,  'and  lime ;  found  principally  at 
Mount  Monzoni,  in  the  Fassa  Thai,  Tyrol ;  named  by  Fuchs 
after  his  colleague  Gehlen,  the  celebrated  chemist,  member  of 
the  Royal  Academy  of  Munich,  born  in  1775. 

GELDER-ROSE  or  GUELDER  ROSE.  A  plant,  a 
species  of  Viburnum.  This  singular  variety  is  probably  from 
Gelderland,  in  Holland,  as  the  Dutch  call  it  Gheldersche  roose. 
From  the  extreme  whiteness  of  the  flowers,  and  swelling;  out 
into  a  globular  form,  some  country  people  have  given  it  the  name 
of  snowball-tree,  which  Miller  seems  to  think  preferable  to 
the  common  appellation  of  Guelder-rose,  and  which  is  conform- 


94  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

able    to  the  Sclmeeball  of   the    Germans.     Gerarde   calls    it 
Elder-rose  and  Rose-elder. 

GENAPPE.  A  worsted  yarn  or  cord  used  in  the  manu- 
facture of  braids,  fringes,  &c.,  its  smoothness  enabling  it  to  be 
well  combined  with  silk ;  from  Genajype,  in  Belgium. 

GENEVANISM.  Calvinism,  Calvin  having  resided  at 
Geneva. 

GENOVINA.  A  coin  of  Geneva,  i.e.  Genoa,  both  in  gold 
and  silver.  The  assay  value  of  the  genovina  of  100  lire 
was  £3  9s.  9d.  sterling;  that  of  the  genovina  of  1790, 
£3  3s.  4f?. 

GENTIAN  (Fr.  gentiane,  L.  gentiana,  Gentiana  lutea;  Gr. 
ysyttavYj).  The  popular  name  of  a  genus  of  plants  of  many 
species,  whose  root,  sometimes  called  felwort,  is  used  as  an 
ingredient  in  stomachic  bitters.  The  officinal  gentian  is  a 
native  of  the  mountainous  parts  of  Germany.  The  gentian 
is  also  found  in  other  parts  of  Europe,  under  the  Sub-Alpine 
mountains ;  also  in  Auvergne ;  upon  the  most  elevated 
summits  of  the  Vosges,  and  in  the  plain  near  Dijon.  Pliny 
derives  the  Latin  word  from  Gentius,  king  of  Illyria,  who  is 
said  to  have  discovered  the  properties  of  this  plant. 

GENTIATINE.  An  alkali  discovered  in  Gentiana  lutea  by 
MM.  Henri  and  Caventori.     See  Gentian. 

GEOCRONITE.  A  lead-grey  ore  of  antimony  and  lead 
{Dana)  ;  from  Gr.  yij  earth,  Kpovos  Saturn,  the  alchemistic 
name  of  lead. 

GEOFFROYA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  natives  of  the 
tropical  parts  of  America ;  of  two  species,  one  of  which, 
G.  inermis,  yields  a  bark  having  emetic,  drastic,  purgative,  and 
narcotic  properties,  and  much  valued  as  a  powerful  anthel- 
mintic ;  named  after  Geoffi'oy,  Memb.  Acad.  Paris,  author  of 
Materia  Medica,  who  died  in  1731. 

GEORGE.  A  figure  of  St.  George  on  horseback,  worn  by 
knights  of  the  Garter.   {Shak.) A  brown  loaf. 

GEORGE  THE  FOURTH.     Name  of  a  peach  tree. 

GEORGIA.  The  bark  of  the  Pinchieya  puhens,  used  as  a 
substitute  for  cinchona;  from  Georgia,  U.S. 

GEORGIA.    The  moss  called  by  Linnaeus  Mnium pellucidum. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  95 

which  Ehrhart  established  as  a  new  genus,  and  named  after 
George  III.  of  Great  Britain. 

GEORGIAD.     A  poem  in  honour  of  one  of  the  Georges. 

GEORGIUM  SIDUS.  (L.)  The  name  first  given,  in 
honour  of  George  III.,  to  the  planet  Uranus. 

GERARDIA.  A  genus  of  plants  consisting  of  herbs  or 
undershrubs ;  named  after  John  Gerarde,  author  of  the 
Herbal. 

GERMANISM.     An  idiom  of  the  German  language. 

GERVILLIA.  A  genus  of  fossil  bivalves,  placed  by 
Cuvier  under  Les  Femes,  between  Crenatida  and  Inoceramus ; 
named  after  M.  de  Gerville,  by  whom  the  species,  on  which  the 
genus  was  established,  was  found  iu  the  Baculite  limestone  of 
Normandy. 

GESNERA  or  GESNERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  named 
after  Conrad  Gesner,  of  Ziirich,  the  celebrated  naturalist,  who 
died  in  1788. 

GHIBELINES,  GHIBELLINES,  or  GIBBELINES  (Fr. 
Gibelins).  A  faction  in  Italy  in  the  twelfth,  thirteenth,  and 
fourteenth  centuries,  which  favoured  the  German  emperors, 
and  opposed  the  Guelfs  or  adherents  of  the  Popes.  They 
are  said  to  have  had  their  name  from  Waiblingen  (anc.  Wibe- 
lingen),  a  small  town  of  Wiirtemberg,  near  Stuttgart.  At  the 
battle  of  Wemsberg  (1140),  between  Conrad  III.  of  Waib- 
lingen and  Duke  Welf  (Guelf),  the  battle-cry  of  the  former 
was  "  Hie  Waiblingen  !"  Some  assert  that  the  Guelfs  or 
Guelphs  derived  their  name  from  G.  wolf,  a  wolf,  on  account 
of  the  grievous  evils  committed  by  this  faction.  According  to 
others,  they  were  called  from  a  German  family  named  Guclfe, 
who  lived  at  Pistoia,  and  they  assert  that  his  brother 
Gihel  gave  the  appellation  to  the  Ghibelines,  According  to 
others,  the  Emperor  Conrad  III.  having  taken  the  duchy  of 
Bavaria  from  Welfe  III.,  brother  of  Henry,  duke  of  Bavaria, 
Welfe,  assisted  by  the  forces  of  Roger,  king  of  Sicily,  made 
war  on  Conrad,  and  thus  gave  birth  to  the  faction  of  the 
Guelphs.  Guelph,  Guelf,  Welfe,  Welfo  would  seem  to  be 
merely  different  orthographies  of  the  same  name. 

GIBBERISH    (found    written    geberish).      Rapid  and  in- 


96  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

articulate  tattle  ;  unintelligible  language ;  unmeaning  words. 
Webster  derives  the  word  from  gibber  (obs.),  to  speak  rapidly 
and  inarticulately ;  probably  allied  to  gabble  and  to  jabber. 
Bailey  gives  also  the  0.  Fr.  gaber,  to  banter  ;  It.  gabbaj-e,  to 
put  a  trick  on.  Mr.  Ford  says  the  language  of  the  Iberians 
was  the  Basque,  which  was  superseded  by  the  Romance,  a 
corrupt  idiom  formed  from  the  fusion  of  the  Roman  and  Gothic 
languages  ;  that  this  hybrid  underwent  a  further  change  from 
its  admixture  with  the  Arabic  at  the  Moorish  invasion,  when 
two  new  dialects  were  formed — the  Aljamia  or  Spanish,  as 
spoken  by  the  Moors,  and  the  Algarabia  or  Arabic,  as  spoken 
by  the  Spaniards ;  that  the  latter  was  so  bad  that  the  term  in 
its  secondary  sense  is  applied  to  any  gibberish  (garabia) — a 
word  which,  strictly  speaking,  means  logat-al-arabra,  the 
Arabic  language.  Dr.  Johnson  supposes  that  the  term  gibber- 
ish was  originally  applied  to  the  language  of  Geber,  the  Arabian 
alchemist ;  and,  as  a  learned  writer  observes,  many  of  the 
quotations  given  by  Dr.  Salmon  (Clavis  Alchymise,  1692) 
would  certainly  justify  the  etymology. 

GIBBSITE.  A  mineral,  colour  dirty  white,  greenish  white, 
and  greyish  ;  occurring  in  irregular  stalactical  masses  at  Rich- 
mond in-  Massachusetts;  named  after  George  Gibbs,  Esq., 
president  of  the  American  Geological  Society. 

GIBUS.  A  celebrated  spring  hat  (a  sort  of  cha^^eau  bras)  ; 
named  from  the  inventor,  M.  Gibus. 

GIESECKITE.  A  mineral  occurring  in  six-sided  j^risms; 
considered  identical  with  elaolite  ;  named  after  Sir  C. 
Giesecke. 

GILBERTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  consisting  of  small 
trees  or  shrubs ;  named  after  J.  E.  Gilibert,  the  French 
botanist. 

GILBERTITE.  A  mineral,  colour  yellowish-white,  con- 
sisting of  alumina,  silica,  lime,  magnesia,  protoxide  of  iron, 
and  water ;  from  Stonagwyn,  St.  Just,  Cornwall ;  named  by 
Dr.  Thomson,  in  honour  of  Davies  Gilbert,  president  of  the 
Royal  Society. 

GILIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Monogynia ;  named  in 
honour  of  Philippe  Salvador  Gilio,  a  Spanish  botanist. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  97 

GILLIESIA,  A  genus  of  plants ;  named  in  honour  of 
Dr.  Gillies,  of  Concepcion,  iii  Chili. 

GINGER  (Fr.  gingembre,  It.  gengivo,  Sp.  gengihre,  Port,  gen- 
givre,  G.  ingher,  D.  gemher,  Sw.  ingefdra,  Dan.  ingefer,  Arab. 
Pers.  and  Turc.  zingibil  or  zinjibil,  Syr.  and  Ch.  nearly  the 
same).  A  plant,  or  the  root  of  Zingiber  officinale,  a  native  of 
China  and  the  East  Indies,  but  extensively  cultivated  in  the 
West  Indies  and  America.  The  word,  Avhich  in  L.  is  zingiber, 
in  Gr.  ^lyyi^spis,  is  said  to  derive  its  name  from  the  town  of 
Gengi  in  China,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  which  it  was  first 
found.  I  find  no  such  place,  but  Gingee  is  the  name  of  a 
town  of  British  India. 

GINGERLY.     Nicely,  cautiously  ;  from  ginger,  q.v. 

GINGHAM.  A  kind  of  striped  cotton  cloth  ;  so  named 
from  Guingamp,  France,  Cotes  du  Nord,  where  its  manufac- 
ture, as  well  as  that  of  cotton   and  linen  goods  in  general,  is 

largely    carried    on   {S.   F.    Creswell). An  umbrella  made 

of  gingham. 

GIPSY  (L.  ^gj/pti,  Hun.  Pharas  hnerpek,  race  of  Pha- 
raoh ;  It.  cingani,  cingari,  zingani,  zingari,  Sp.  gitdnos,  bandits  ; 
G.  ziguener,  zigeni,  and  zigeuni,  Fr.  Bohemiens,  Dan.  and  Sw. 
Tartares;  Arab,  arami,  thieves  ;  D.  heidenen,  idolators ;  Hind. 
Sliders;  by  others  Saracens,  and  in  22  Hen.  VIII.  cap.  10 
(1530),  Egyptians).  One  of  a  race  of  vagabonds  who  infest 
Europe,  Africa,  and  Asia,  strolling  about,  and  subsisting 
mostly  by  theft,  robbery,  and  fortune-telling.  Pope  Pius  II. 
calls  them  Zigari,  and  supposes  them  to  have  migrated  from 
the  country  of  the  Zigri,  which  nearly  answers  to  the  modern 
Circassia.  The  word  gipsy  is  without  doubt  derived  from 
^gyptii,  from  the  supposition  that  the  gipsies  were  from  Egypt, 
although  their  language  indicates  that  they  originated  in 
Hindustan.  Cf.  Munster,  Geog.  lib.  iii.  cap.  5  ;  Pasquier, 
Recherch.  liv.  iv.  chap.  19 ;  Ralph  Volaterranus  ;  Grellman, 
Germ.  Disser.  on  Gipsies,  trans,  by  Matt.  Raper,  1787;  Sir 
Wm.  Jones,  Asiat.  Res.  V.  iii.  p.  7;  Miscell.  Bolognese, 
in   18   vol.   Rer.  Italic;    Krantz,   Hist.   Sax.;  and   Muratori, 

Antich.   Ital. A  reproachful  name  for  a  dark  complexion. 

{S/iak.) A   name  of  slight  reproach   to   a   woman,   some- 

H 


98  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

times  implying  artifice  or  cunning. The  language  of  the 

gipsies. 

GIPSYISM.  The  state  of  a  gipsy  ;  the  arts  and  practices 
of  gipsies  ;  deception  ;  cheating  ;  flattery. 

GIRARDIN.  A  kind  of  graft,  after  the  manner  of  Gi- 
rardin,  a  French  gardener. 

GIRONDE.  In  French  political  history,  the  name  of  a 
celebrated  Republican  party,  which,  during  the  first  years  of  the 
Revolution  of  1789,  formed  a  powerful  section  of  the  second 
National  Assembly,  called  the  Legislative,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  the  first,  or  Constituante,  which  framed  the  constitu- 
tion of  1791,  It  was  so  named  from  the  department  of  La 
Gironde,  which  had  returned  Vergniaud,  Gensonne,  Guadet, 
&c.,  the  leaders  of  the  party  ;  and  it  consisted  chiefly  of  the 
members  of  the  departments  of  the  west  and  south. 

GIRONDIN,  GIRONDIST.     One  of  the  Gironde,  q.v. 

GISEKIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  consisting  of  one  species, 
the  trailing  gisekia,  a  native  of  the  East  Indies ;  named  in 
honour  of  P.  D.  Giseke,  a  Dutch  botanist. 

GISMONDINE.  A  mineral  consisting  chiefly  of  silica  and 
lime,  with  traces  of  magnesia,  oxide  of  ii'on,  and  oxide  of 
manganese ;  found  at  Capo  de  Bove,  near  Rome ;  named  in 
honour  of  the  mineralogist  Gismondi. 

GIULIO  or  JULIO.  A  small  coin  of  base  silver,  at 
Leghorn  and  Florence,  equal  to  about  Qd.  sterling ;  doubtless 
named  after  one  of  the  Popes  of  Rome. 

GLEDITSCHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  which  attain 
a  height  of  fifty  to  eighty  feet,  natives  of  the  Carolinas  and 
Virginia  ;  named  after  Gottlieb  Gleditsch,  of  Leipsic. 

GLOXINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Gesneriacece ; 
called  after  M.  Gloxin,  a  German  botanist. — Crahb. 

GMELINA.  A  tree,  one  species  of  which  is  a  native  of 
Java,  Amboina,  and  other  parts  of  the  East  Indies.  It  received 
its  name  from  John  George  Gmelin,  native  of  Tiibingen,  pro- 
fessor of  chemistry  and  natural  history  at  Petersburg,  who 
spent  ten  years  in  travelling  through  Siberia  at  the  expense  of 
the  Russian  government,  and  whose  Flora  Sibirica  is  a  work 
of  great  reputation  and  merit.     This  genus  also  serves  to  com- 


VEllJiA   NOMINALTA.  99 

memorate  four  or  five  other  botanists  of  the  same  family,  espe- 
cially Samuel  Theophilus  G-melin,  nephew  of  the  former. 

GMELINITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate,  occurring  at 
Montecchio  Maggiore  ;  at  Castel,  in  the  Vicentine  ;  at  Glenarra; 
and  in  the  island  of  Magee  ;  named  after  Professor  C.  Gmelin, 
of  Tiibingen. 

GOBELINS.     A   term  applied   in  France  to  a   species  of 
rich   tapestry ;    derived  from    Gilles    Gobelins,    a   celebrated 
dyer  in  the  reign   of    Francis  I.  {Diet,  de  I' Acad.)     "  Gobe- 
lins,   a    celebrated    manufactory  established  in    Paris    in  the 
Faubourg  St.   Marcel,  for  the  making  of  tapestry  and  other 
furniture  for  the   use  of  the   crown.     The  house  where  this 
manufactory  is  carried  on  was  built  by  two  brothers,  Giles  and 
John  Gobelins,  both  excellent  dyers,  and  the  first  that  brought 
to  Paris,  in  the  reign  of  Francis  I.,  the  secret  of  dyeing  that 
beautiful  scarlet  colour  still  known  by  their  name,  as  well  as 
the  little  river  Bievre,  on  whose  banks  they  fixed  their  dye- 
house,  and  which  is  now  known  by  no  other  name  than  that  of 
the  Gobelins.     It  was  in   1667  that  this  place,  till  then  called 
Gobelins'  Folly,  changed  its  name  into  that  of  the  Hotel  Royal 
des  Gobelins,    in    consequence    of    an    edict    of    Louis    XIV. 
M.    Colbert,  having   re-established,    and    with   new   magnifi- 
cence enriched  and  completed,  the  king's  palaces,  particularly 
the  Louvre  and   Tuilleries,  began  to  think  of  making  furni- 
ture suitable   to  the  grandeur  of  those  buildings.     With  this 
view  he  called  together  all  the  ablest  workmen  in  the  divers 
arts  and  manufactures,  particularly  painters,  tapestry  makers, 
sculptors,   goldsmiths,  ebonists,   &c.,   and  by   splendid    offers, 
pensions,  privileges,  &e.,  called  others  from  foreign  nations. 
And  to  render  the  intended  establishment  firm  and  lasting,  he 
besought  the  king  to  purchase  the  Gobelins  for  them  to  work  in, 
and  draw  up  a  system  of  laws  or  policy  in  seventeen  articles. 
By  these   it   is  provided  that   the  new  manufactory  shall  be 
under  the  administration  of  the  superintendent  of  the  king's 
buildings,  arts,   8fc.  ;  that  the  ordinary  masters  thereof  shall 
take  cognizance  of  all  actions  and  processes  brought  against 
any  of  the  persons  in  the  said  manufactory,  their  servants  and 
dependants ;   that  no   other  tapestry  work   shall  be   imported 

H  2 


100  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

from  any  other  country,  &c.  The  Gobelins  has  since  then 
remained  the  first  manufactory  of  the  kind  in  the  world.  The 
quantity  and  noble  works  that  have  been  produced  by  it,  and 
the  number  of  the  best  workmen  bred  up  therein,  are  incredible  ; 
and  the  present  flourishing  condition  of  the  arts  and  manufac- 
tures of  France  is  in  a  great  measure  owing  thereto.  Tapestry 
work  in  particular  is  their  glory.  During  the  superintendence 
of  M.  Colbert  and  his  successor  M.  de  Louvois  the  working 
of  tapestry  is  said  to  have  been  practised  to  a  degree  of  per- 
fection scarce  inferior  to  what  was  before  done  by  the  English 
and  French.  The  Battles  of  Alexander,  the  Four  Seasons,  the 
Four  Elements,  the  King's  Palaces,  and  a  series  of  the  principal 
actions  of  the  life  of  Louis  XIV.  from  the  time  of  his  marriage 
to  the  first  conquest  of  Franche  Comte,  done  from  the  designs 
of  M.  le  Brun,  director  of  the  manufactory  of  the  Gobelins, 
are  masterpieces  in  their  kind  {Chamb.  Cyc.  1788). 

GODOYA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees;  named  in  honour  of 
Emanuel  Godoy,  duke  of  Arcadia. 

GOETHEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  consisting  of  trees  and 
shrubs  ;  named  in  honour  of  the  poet  Goethe. 

GOETHITE.  A  rare  German  mineral,  colour  brownish-red, 
by  reflection  yellowish ;  named  in  honour  of  the  poet  Goethe. 

GOLDFUSSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiospermia ; 
named  after  Dr.  Goldfuss. 

GOLGOTHA.  The  elevated  pew  or  gallery  in  which  the 
heads  of  houses  till  lately  sat  at  Great  St.  Mary's,  Cambridge ; 
so  called  because  it  was  the  place  of  skulls.  Cf.  John  xix.  17. 
— S.  F.  Creswell. 

GOLIATH.  A  name  given  by  Lambert  to  a  genus  of  in- 
sects remarkable  for  their  size  and  beauty,  whose  species  in- 
habit Africa,  the  East  Indies,  and  the  tropical  parts  of  America  ; 

named  from  Goliath,  the  giant  leader  of  the  Philistines. 

A  synonym  for  giant. 

GOMARA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiospermia  ;  natives 
of  Peru ;  named  in  honour  of  Lopez  de  Gomara,  a  Spanish 
botanist. 

GOMESA.  A  genus  of  orchidaceous  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  Serior  Gomez,  a  Spanish  physician. 


VEKBA    NOMINALTA.  101 

GONGORISM.  A  term  usod  for  bombastic  writing ;  so 
called  from  Luis  Gongora  y  Argote,  a  poet  who  tortured  the 
Spanish  language  without  mercy,  called  his  new  phraseology 
estilo  culto,  and  answered  with  intemperate  abuse  the  judicious 
censure  of  his  eminent  contemporaries,  the  two  brothers 
Argensolas,  Lope  de  Vega,  and  Quevedo.  Gongora  was  born  at 
Cordova  in  1561.  A  romawcero  entitled  "  Delicias  del  Par- 
nasso,"  contains  all  his  romances  and  letriUas.  The  cultorista 
Alonso  Castillo  Solorzano  extended  Gongorism  even  to  Ame- 
rica, Avhere  he  published  his  own  works  in  Mexico  in  1625. 
See  P.  Cyc. 

GOODENIA.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  perennial  plants,  or. 
Monogynia ;  named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Goodenough,  bishop  of 
Carlisle. 

GOODYERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  one  species  of  which, 
G.  repens,  is  found  in  Scotland ;  named  after  Mr.  John 
Goodyer. 

GORDIAN  KNOT.  An  inextricable  difficulty;  hence, 
to  cut  the  Gordian  knot  is  to  remove  a  difficulty  by  bold  or  un- 
usual measures.  The  Gordian  knot  was  a  knot  in  the  leather  or 
harness  of  Gordius.  a  king  of  Phrygia,  so  very  intricate  that 
there  was  no  finding  where  it  began  or  ended.  An  oracle 
declared  that  he  who  should  untie  this  knot  should  be  master 
of  Asia.  Alexander,  fearing  that  his  inability  to  untie  it 
should  prove  an  ill  augury,  cut  it  asunder  with  his  sword. 

GORGON  A.  A  name  given  to  the  anchovy  from 
the  isle  of  Gorgona,  in  the  Gulf  of  Genoa,  noted  for  its 
anchovy  fisheries,  in  which  the  inhabitants  are  chiefly  en- 
gaged. 

GORGONEIA.  In  architectural  sculpture,  masks  carved  in 
imitation  of  the  head  of  Medusa,  who  was  one  of  the  three 
Gorgons ;  used  generally  as  key-stones.  The  Gorgons  by  a 
mere  look  killed  men,  and  even  petrified  them ;  they  were 
destroyed  by  Perseus  because  they  had  polluted  the  temple 
of  Minerva.  Perseus  gave  the  head  of  Medusa  to  Minerva, 
who  fixed  it  on  her  segis  or  shield,  which  thenceforth  had  the 
power  of  turning  the  beholders  into  stone. 

GORGONEUM.       A   mask    used   in    Greek    and    Roman 


102  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

theatres    to   represent   hideous   figures,    in    imitation    of    the 
Gorgons. 

GORTERIA.  A  genus  of  composite  plants,  mostly  shrubs, 
named  after  Professor  Gorter,  physician  to  Elizabeth,  empress 
of  Russia. 

GOSLARITE.  A  mineral,  colour  white,  reddish,  bluish ; 
found  in  the  Rammelsberg  Mine  near  Goslar  in  the  Harz,  and 
at  other  places  in  Europe. 

GOSSAMER  (found  written  gossamore,  gossamour,  and  gos- 
somer).  A  fine  filmy  substance,  like  cobwebs,  floating  in  the 
air  in  calm  clear  weather,  especially  in  autumn.  It  is  seen 
in  stubble  fields,  and  on  furze  or  low  bushes,  and  is  probably 
formed  by  a  species  of  spider.  Some  derive  the  word  from 
L.  gossipmm,  cotton.  A  contributor  to  N.  &  Q.  3rd  S.  11,  16, 
says,  "  The  hold  which  the  fable  of  the  origin  of  these  webs 
had  on  the  minds  of  the  vulgar  is  shown  by  the  persistent  use 
of  the  name  Mary  in  Marien-Fdden,  Mariengern,  and  Marien- 
sommer."  (Nativ.  V.  M.,  8th  Sep.)  The  French  name  also  is 
Fil  lie  la  Bonne  Vierge.  Hence,  and  as  all  these  religious 
fables  were  necessarily  widely  known,  it  appears  to  me  that 
gaze  a  Marie  (Mr.  T.  Keightley  says  gase-Marie),  Eng.  gauze 
o'  Mary,  is  a  more  likely  derivation  of  gossamer  than  any  yet 
proposed.  The  old  spellings  of  gossamour  and  gossamore 
perhaps  show  the  tendency  to  emphasize  the  last  syllable,  and 
as  equivalent  to  love-down  (Fr.  amour,  It.  amore').  They  are 
worth  notice  as  exemplifying  the  fanciful  and  euphuistic  ety- 
mologies of  Holofernes  and  others  of  his  day." 

GOTH.  A  rude,  ignorant,  or  uncivilized  person  :  lit.  one 
of  the  tribe  or  nation  that  anciently  inhabited  Scandinavia, 
now  Sweden  and  Norway. 

GOTHAMIST.  A  wiseacre  ;  a  person  deficient  in  wisdom  ; 
so  called  from  Gotham,  in  Nottinghamshire,  noted  for  some 
pleasant  blunders  {Bp.  Morton).  Old  "Drunken  Barnaby" 
seems  to  have  visited  Gotham  in  one  of  his  poetical  journies 
to  the  North,  for  he  sings — 

"  Thence  to  Gotham,  where  sure  am  I, 
Though  all  not  fools,  I  saw  many ; 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  103 

Here  a  she- gull  found  I  praucing, 
And  in  moonshine  nimbly  dancing ; 
There  another  wanton  madling, 
Who  her  hog  was  set  a  i<adling." 

Throsby,  however,  seems  to  be  of  a  different  opiuion,  for  he 
says  he  now  thinks  the  inhabitants  of  this  vilhige  as  wise  as 
their  neighbours.  A  variety  of  opinions,  indeed,  have  gone 
abroad  respecting  this  place.  Wartou,  spealving  of  "  the  idle 
pranks  of  the  men  of  Gotham,"  says,  "  that  such  pranks  bore 
a  reference  to  some  customary  law  tenures  belonging  to  that 
place  or  its  neighbourhood,  now  grown  obsolete,  and  that 
Blount  might  have  enriched  his  book  of  ancient  tenures  with 
those  ludicrous  stories."  Hearne  also  says,  "  nor  is  there  more 
reason  to  esteem  the  Merry  Tales  of  the  Mad  Men  of  Gotham 
(which  was  much  valued  and  cried  up  in  Henry  VIII.'s 
time,  though  now  sold  at  ballad-singers'  stalls)  as  alto- 
gether a  romance,  a  certain  skilful  person  having  told  me  more 
than  once  that  they  formerly  held  lands  there  by  such  sports 
and  customs  as  are  touched  upon  in  this  book."  But  Fuller 
says,  that  the  proverb,  "As  wise  as  a  man  of  Gotham,"  "  passeth 
publicly  for  the  periphrasis  of  a  fool ;  and  a  hundred  fopperies 
are  forged  and  fathered  on  the  townsfolk  of  Gotham,"  Still, 
he  thinks  it  no  more  remarkable  than  the  customs  of  other 
nations,  for  it  has  been  well  observed  that  a  custom  seems  to 
have  prevailed,  even  among  the  eaiiiest  nations,  of  stigmatizing 
some  particular  spot  as  remarkable  for  stupidity.  Amongst  the 
Asiatics  Phrygia  was  considered  as  the  Gotham  of  that  day, 
Abdera  amongst  the  Thraciaus,  and  Boeotia  amongst  the  Greeks. 
Fuller,  however,  adds,  "  but,  to  return  to  Gotham,  it  doth 
breed  as  wise  people  as  any  which  causelessly  laugh  at  their 
simplicity.  Sure  I  am  Mr.  William  de  Gotham,  fifth  master 
of  Michael  House,  Cambridge,  anno  1339,  and  twice  chancellor 
of  the  university,  was  as  grave  a  governor  as  that  age  did 
afford  ;  and  Gotham  is  a  goodly  large  lordship,  where  the 
ancient  and  respected  family  of  St.  Andrew  have  flourished 
some  hundreds  of  years,  till  of  late  the  name  is  extinct,  and 
lands  divided  betwixt  female  co-heirs  matched  unto  very 
worshippful  persons."  From  these  various  protests  in  favour 
of  the  men  of  Gotham,  it  is  evident  that  considei'able  publicity 


104  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

had  been  giveu  to  the  many  ridiculous  fables  traditionally 
told ;  particularly  of  their  having  heard  the  cuckoo,  but  never 
having  seen  her,  and  therefore  hedged  in  a  bush  from  whence 
her  note  seemed  to  proceed,  that  being  confined  within  so  small 
a  compass,  they  might  at  length  catch  her,  and  satisfy  their 
curiosity.  Ii  has  been  observed  by  several  writers  in  the  last 
century  that  what  gave  rise  to  the  story  is  not  now  remembered  ; 
but  they  all  mention  that  there  is  at  a  place  called  Courthill  in 
the  parish,  a  bush  still  designated  by  the  name  of  the  Cuckoo- 
bush.  Cf.  Beauties  of  England  and  Wales,  Lond.  1813,  vol. 
xii.  part.  1,  Nottinghamshire,  where  may  be  found  several 
anecdoies  concerning  the  Wise  Men  of  Gotham. 

GOTHAMITE.  A  term  sportively  applied  to  New  York  ; 
so  called  from  Gotham.     See  Gothamist. 

GOTHIC.  The  language  of,  or  pertaining  to,  the  Goths ;  as 
Gothic  customs,  Gothic  barbarity ;  rude,  ancient,   barbarous. 

A  style  of   architecture  with  high  and  sharply-pointed 

arches,  clustered  columns,  &c.  ;  a  term  first  used  by  Sir 
Christopher  Wren  (by  way  of  derision,  it  is  said)  to  denote  the 
architecture  of  the  Middle  Ages,  in  contradistinction  to 
Classic  architecture.  According  to  Torre,  the  term  Gothic 
was  first  applied  as  a  designation  by  Cesare  Cesariano,  trans- 
lator  of  Vitruvius,  in  his  commentary,  1521.  Cesariano  was 
one  of  the  architects  of  the  Cathedral  of  Milan  in  1491,  and 
author  of  "  Saggiosopral'Architettura  Goticacon  piii  proposito, 
(iermanica  dinominata." 

GOUANIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  one  species,  native  of 
St.  Domingo ;  named  by  Jacquin  after  Antoine  Gouan,  M.D., 
author  of  Flora  Monspeliaca,  Hortus  Monspeliensis,  &c. 

GRACE-CARD.  The  six  of  hearts,  so  termed  in  Ireland. 
A  Kilkenny  gentleman,  named  Grace,  solicited,  with  promises 
of  royal  favour,  to  espouse  the  cause  of  William  III.,  gave  the 
following  answer,  written  on  the  back  of  the  six  of  hearts,  to 
an  emissary  of  Marshal  Schomberg,  who  had  been  commis- 
sioned to  make  the  proposal  to  him : — "  Tell  your  master  I 
despise  his  offer,  and  that  honour  and  conscience  are  dearer 
to  a  gentleman  than  all  the  wealth  and  titles  a  prince  can 
bestow." — J.  C.  H. 


VERBxV    NOMINALIA.  105 

GRECISM.     An  idiom  of  the  Greek  language, 

GREEK.  On  the  Continent,  a  name  given  to  a  gambler  who 
cheats.  Towards  the  end  of  the  reign  of  Louis  XVI.,  a  chevalier 
of  Greek  origin  named  Apoulos,  having  obtained  admission  to 
the  court  circle,  played  with  great  success.  One  day,  how- 
ever, he  was  ttikeujlagrante  delicto,  and,  having  been  convicted, 
was  condemned  to  the  galleys  for  twenty  years.  The  circum- 
stance caused  a  great  noise  at  the  time,  and  ever  since  similar 

rogues  have  been  termed  Greeks. A  jocular  term  for  an 

Irishman ;  the  Irish,  as  they  assert,  being  the  founders  of  the 
Greek  nation, 

GREENGAGE.  A  species  of  plum.  It  has  been  asserted 
that  it  was  brought  into  England  by  a  member  of  the  Gage 
family  some  time  in  the  last  century.  A  writer  in  N.  &  Q. 
thinks  it  was  a  Sir  Thomas  Gage  of  Hengrave,  in  Suffolk; 
that  his  own  family  were  intimate  with  the  Gage  family,  and 
he  is  almost  certain  he  had  heard  them  allude  to  the  circum- 
stance. In  Macintosh's  Book  of  the  Garden  (ed.  1855,  ii,  531) 
occurs  the  following  respecting  the  greengage  : — "  Of  early 
origin,  introduced  by  Lord  Gage  from  the  Chartreux  monastery 
near  Paris."  Macintosh,  however,  enumerates  several  other 
sorts  of  gage,  as  the  imperial  gage,  Lawson's  golden  gage,  the 
purple  gage,  the  red  gage,  the  Woolston  black  gage,  and  the 
yellow  gage;  and  the  most  probable  derivation  of  the  word  is 
from  the  vernacular  G.  quetsche  or  qwetsche,  Low  G.  Icwets,  a 
plum.     Of.  N.  &  Q.  3rd  S,  iii.  493. 

GREENOCKITE.  A  native  sulphuret  of  cadmium,  colour 
honey-yellow  ;  found  at  Bishopstown  (Renfrew)  and  Cockney- 
burn  (Dumbarton);  named  in  honour  of  Lord  Greenock,  after- 
wards Earl  Cathcart, 

GREENOVITE.  A  mineral,  colour  deep  rose-red,  con- 
sisting of  silica,  oxide  of  titanium,  lime,  and  protoxide  of  man- 
ganese ;  found  at  St,  Marcel,  Piedmont;  named  in  honour  of 
Mr,  Greenough. 

GREGORIARA.  In  Spain,  the  scientific  name  of  the  es- 
piiiillera  or  right-hand  grieve  of  iron  and  leather,  worn  by  the 
picadores  iu  the  bull-fights ;  named  from  its  inventor,  Don 
Gregorio  Gallo. 


106  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

GROBYA.  A  genus  of  orchidaceous  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  Lord  Grey  of  Groby. 

GROG.  A  mixture  of  spirit  and  water  not  sweetened. 
Old  Admiral  Vernon  first  introduced  rum  and  water  as  a  beve- 
rage on  board  ship.  The  veteran  used  to  wear  a  grogram 
cloak  {i.e.  a  cloak  made  of  stuff  composed  of  silk  and  mohair) 
in  foul  Aveather,  which  gained  him  the  apj)ellation  of  Old  Grog. 
From  himself  the  sailors  transferred  the  name  to  the  liquor. — 
(Economist,  1824. 

GROGGY.  In  vulgar  language,  tipsy,  intoxicated ;  from 
grog,  q.v.  A  groggy  horse  is  one  that  bears  wholly  on  his 
heels  in  trotting  ;  a  grog-blossom,  a  rum-bud,  a  redness  on  the 
nose  or  face  of  those  who  drink  ardent  spirits  to  excess,  a 
deformity  that  marks  the  vice  of  intemperance. 

GROPPITE.  A  mineral,  colour  rose-red  to  brownish-red  ; 
found  in  the  limestone  quarry  of  Gropptorp  in  Sodermanland, 
Sweden. 

GROS  DE  NAPLES.  A  kind  of  stout  silk  so  called 
because  made  at  Naples  (Fr.  gros,  thick).  Gros  de  Tours  is 
a  silk  made  at  Tours  in  imitation  of  gros  de  Naples. 

GRUB-STREET.  A  term  applied  to  low  writing,  as  a 
Grub-street  poem  ;  from  the  name  of  a  street  (now  Milton  Street) 
near  Moorfields,  London,  formerly  much  inhabited  by  low 
writers. 

GRUNALTITE.  A  mineral  found  with  quartz  and  copper 
pyrites.  It  was  named  grunauite  from  Griinau,  and  saynite 
from  Sayn  Altenkerchen,  where  it  is  respectively  found. 

GRUYfiRE.  A  celebrated  cheese  to  be  met  with  in  most 
parts  of  the  Continent ;  from  Gi^yh^e,  in  Switzerland. 

GUELFS.     See  Ghibelines. 

GUERNSEY.    A  woollen  waistcoat  first  made  at  Guernsey. 

GUETTARDA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  South 
America ;  named  after  J.  S.  Guettard,  M.D,,  author  of  a  local 
French  Flora;  Observations  sur  les  Plantes,  1747;  and  other 
botanical  Avorks. 

GUICHENOTIA.  A  genus  of  New  Holland  shrubs; 
named  after  Antony  Guichenot,  who  sailed  round  the  world 
with  Captain  Baudin. 


VERBA    NOMINALTA.  107 

GUILANDINA.  The  Bonduc  or  nicker-tree,  a  genus  of 
plants  consisting  of  trees  or  shrubs  ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in 
honour  of  Melchior  Gruilandinus,  a  Prussian,  who  filled  the 
botanical  chair  at  Padua  about  1583  or  1589. 

GUILLEMOT.  A  Avaterfowl  of  the  genus  Uria,  allied  to 
the  penguins,  auks,  and  divers  ;  found  in  the  northern  parts 
of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America.  (P.  Oyc.)  Webster  derives  the 
word  from  W.  qivilaivg,  whirling  about ;  but  it  is  more  probably 
from  the  name  of  the  discoverer,  Guillemot,  a  French  dimi- 
nutive of  Guillaume,  i.e.  William. 

GUILLOTINE.  (Fr.)  An  instrument  for  the  infliction  of 
capital  punishment,  proposed  to  the  National  Assembly  of 
France  by  Joseph  Ignace  Guillotin,  a  physician,  native  of 
Xaintes,  and  a  member  of  the  Assembly  ;  and  which  from  him 
took  its  name.  It  was  adopted  by  decree  of  20th  March,  1792. 
The  guillotine  under  other  names  had  existed  as  a  means  of 
public  execution  long  before  in  Germany,  Bohemia,  Italy, 
Scotland,  and  England.  Crusius,  in  his  Annales  Suevici,  fol. 
1595 — 6,  tom.  ii.  296,  says,  "  Antiquis  autem  temporibus,  in 
Germania  etiam  decollatio  non  gladio  fiebat,  sed  querno  ligno 
habente  scindens  acutissime  ferrum.  Addit  Widermannus,  se 
vidisse  tale  instrumentum  IIala3  in  vetere  Nosodocheo  (Sie- 
chaus)  priusquam  id  destrueretur,  et  hodiernum  ibi  sedificaretur. 
Eflferebatur  inde  ilia  machina,  si  quis  plectendus  esset  :  sup- 
plicioque  peracto  eodem  referebatur." — "  Postea  usus  gladii  suc- 
cessit."  In  German  this  instrument  was  called  der  j)lanlce  der 
deil,  the  plank  of  wood  ;  and  in  olden  language  falhiel,  the 
falling  hatchet.  In  Bohemia  it  was  called  hagec,  something 
akin  to  the  plank.  In  Italy  it  was  known  by  the  name  of 
manaia.  An  engraving  of  it  may  be  seen  in  Achillis  Bocchii 
Bonon.  Symbolicarum  Qugestionum,  lib.  v.  8vo,  Bonon.  1555, 
p.  36.  There  is  a  very  beautiful  engraving  of  the  German 
instrument  in  a  representation  of  the  beheading  of  the  son  of 
Titus  Manlius,  by  Henry  Aldegrevers,  dated  1553,  Evelyn, 
in  his  Memoirs,  vol.  i.  170,  states  that  he  saw  a  similar  instru- 
ment at  Naples.  Its  use  at  Halifax  is  traced  as  far  back 
as  the  time  of  Edward  III.  In  England  what  has  been  since 
called  the  guillotine  was  used  only  at  Halifax,  and  confined 


108  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

even  thereto  the  punishment  of  felonies  committed  within  the 
forest  of  Hardwick.  It  was  in  1650  that  the  last  malefactors 
there  suffered  by  it  (Watson's  Hist,  of  Halifax,  214,  239). 
Joseph  Ignace  Guillotin,  who  revived  the  use  of  this  instru- 
ment in  France,  is  supposed  by  many  to  have  perished  at  a 
later  period  of  the  Revolution,  like  the  Regent  Morton,  by  his 
own  invention  ;  but  this  is  not  correct,  as  Dr.  Guillotin  died  a 
natural  death,  26th  May,  1814,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six. 
See  Biog.  Universelle  ;  P.  Cyc. ;  Galignani,  4  Feb.  1857; 
and  Memoirs  of  Empress  Josephine,  Lond.  1828. 

GUINEA.  Formerly  a  gold  coin  of  Great  Britain,  at  first 
equal  to  20^:.  sterling,  but  afterwards  raised  to  21s.  sterling. 
The  appellation  of  guinea  was  given  to  it  because  gi'eat 
quantities  of  them  were  first  struck  by  Charles  II.,  in  1663, 
from  gold  brought  from  the  Guinea  coast  by  the  Royal  African 
Company.  They  were  distinguished,  some  by  an  elephant 
under  the  head,  some  a  castle,  others  without,  which  was 
continued  under  each  reign  until  George  I. 

GUINEA-FOWL  or  GUINEA-HEN.  A  fowl  of  the  galli- 
naceous order,  larger  than  the  common  domestic  hen ;  originally 
from  Guinea,  where  they  are  found  in  flocks  of  200  or  300, 
perching  on  trees,  and  feeding  on  worms  and  grasshoppers. 

GUNDELIA.  A  genus  of  perennial  composite  plants ; 
named  in  honour  of  Andrew  Gundelsheimer,  a  German 
botanist. 

GUNNERA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  but  one  species,  G.  per- 
pensa,  native  of  the  Cape;  named  by  Linnfeus  in  honour  of  John 
Ernest  Gunner,  bishop  of  Drontheim,  founder  of  the  Royal 
Norwegian  Society,  to  the  "  Transactions  "  of  which  he  con- 
tributed several  valuable  treatises  on  natural  history;  author  of 
Flora  Norwegica ;  born  at  Christiania  in  1718. 

GURHOFITE.  A  sub-variety  of  magnesian  carbonate  of 
lime,  colour  snow-white;  found  near  Gurhof,  in  Lower 
Austria. 

GURRAH.  A  kind  of  coarse  India  muslin  ;  doubtless  from 
Gurrah,  in  the  British  territory  of  Saugur  and  Nerbudda. 

GUSTAYIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species ;  named 
in  honour  of  Gustavus  III.  of  Sweden,  patron  of  Linnseus. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  109 

GUTTA  PERCHA  (erroneously  pronounced  perka).  A 
gum  which  exudes  from  a  forest  tree  growing  in  Singapore, 
Borneo,  and  other  of  tlie  Eastern  islands,  and  which  was  first 
imported  into  England  in  1843.  There  are  three  varieties, 
viz.,  Gutfa  Glrek,  Gutta  Tuhan,  and  Gutta  Percha.  According 
to  some,  Percha  is  the  Malayan  name  for  the  tree  which  yields 
this  particular  gum.  It  was,  however,  originally  called 
Gutia  pulo  Perecha,  i.e.  "gum  of  the  island  Percha;"  which, 
nevertheless,  may  have  been  so  named  from  abounding  in 
these  trees.  Marsden,  indeed,  calls  the  island  of  Sumatra 
Pulan  Percha.     The  Malay  gatah,  guttah,  is  gum,  balsam. 

GUYAQUILLITE.  A  resin,  consisting  of  carbon;  hy- 
drogen, and  oxygen,  found  at  Guyaquil,  in  South  America ; 
allied  to  "  bog-butter,"  found  in  Irish  bogs. 

GUZMANNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  one  species  of  which 
grows  on  the  branches  of  trees  in  Peru ;  dedicated  to  Guzman. 

GUY.  A  fright,  a  dowdy,  an  ill-dressed  person  ;  so  called 
from  the  effigy  of  Guy  Fawkes,  carried  about  by  boys  on  the 
5th  of  November. 


H. 


HACKNEY.  The  carriage  so  named.  This  word  is  in- 
serted on  account  of  the  very  general  belief  that  this  vehicle 
had  its  name  from  the  suburb  of  Hackney.  Mr.  Pulleyn  says, 
"  Hackney  coaches,  as  well  as  hackney  horses,  derive  their 
name  from  the  village  of  Hackney,  which  was,  at  a  former 
period,  of  such  great  resort  that  nunibers  of  coaches  and 
horses  were  in  constant  employ  in  carrying  the  citizens  thither. 
It  was  in  the  year  1634  that  Captain  Bayley  first  introduced 
these  coaches,  when  a  tolerable  long  ride  might  then  be  pro- 
cured for  the  small  sum  of  4d."  Singularly  enough,  in  another 
part  of  the  same  work,  Mr.  Pulleyn  says,  "  This  village 
[Hackney]  was  anciently  celebrated  for  the  numerous  seats  of 
the  nobility  and  gentry,  'which  occasioned,'  says  Maitland, 
'  a  mighty  resort  thither  of  persons  of  all  conditions  from  the 
city  of  London ;  whereby  so  great   a  number   of  horses  were 


110  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

hired  in  the  city  on  that  account,  that  they  were  called 
hackney  or  hack  horses,  and,  from  the  number  of  them  em- 
ployed to  go  to  this  neighbourhood,  in  process  of  time  gave  a 
name  to  this  locality."  I  am  disposed  to  think  that  neither  of 
these  statements  is  correct.  It  is  admitted  that  the  hackney 
coach  was  not  introduced  into  England  until  1634,  whereas  in 
tlie  most  ancient  record,  dated  in  1253,  Hackney  is  called 
Hakeneye  (CI.  37,  Hen.  III.,  m.  14,  de  quadam  via  obstructa 
apud  Hakeneye).  It  is  most  probable  that  the  place  was 
named  either  from  an  early  owner,  one  Hacon;  or  from  Aken-ey, 
which  might  be  rendered  "  the  isle  or  place  near  water, 
abounding  with  oaks  ;"  and  that  the  carriage  had  its  name 
from  the  horse  by  which  it  was  drawn.  Roquefort  (1808)  has 
haquenee,  hacquenee,  jument  de  prix,  cheval  de  parade  pour  les 
dames ;  d'eqmis ;  haquet,  hacquet,  petit  cheval,  et  sorte  de 
voiture  pour  conduire  des  vins,  des  ballots — 

Sus,  sus,  allez-vous  en  Jaquet, 
Et  pensez  le  petit  hacquet, 
Et  luy  faictes  bien  sa  litiere. 

Coquillart,  Monol.  du  Pays. 

haqnetier,  conducteur  de  haquet ;  liaqiie,  cheval  hongre, 
d'equus.  The  Dice,  de  la  Acad.  Espail.  (1734)  has  haccmea, 
caballo  algo  mayor  que  las  hacas,  y  menor  que  las  caballos. 
Covarr.  dice  que  es  voz  Italiana,  que  este  genero  de  caballos 
vienen  de  Inglaterra  y  de  Polonia ;  Lat.  equus  Britannicus,  vel 
Polonus ;  haca,  caballo  pequeiio,  que  de  sa  naturaleza  y  casta 
no  tiene  la  estatui'a  de  los  demas  caballos.  Menage  (1694) 
renders  the  Fr.  haqtienee,  L.  equus  graclarius ;  and  he  derives 
the  Eng.  hacneij  (sic),  Flem.  hackney,  through  the  Fr.  word 
from  the  Barb.  L.  liakinea,  from  L.  equus,  thus  equus,  akus, 
akinus,  akineus,  akinea,  haquenee.  He  says  further  that 
akinea,  by  aphoeresis,  became  kinea,  whence  the  It.  chinea ; 
and  that  from  akus  came  the  diminutive  akettus  whence 
haquet.  Cotgrave  (1650)  gives  hacquenee,  commonly  an  am- 
bling horse,  gelding,  or  mare  ;  haquet,  a  dray  or  low  and 
open  cart,  such  as  London  brewers  use  ;  haquetia;  a  drayman. 
Minshew  (1617)  gives  hackney  horse,  Fr.  haquenee,  com.  g. 
haquendrt,    It.    acchinea,   acchenia,   chinea,    Sp.   hacanea,    hdca, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  Ill 

Belg.  hakeneijs,  dictus  u  pedibus  alternatim  elcuatis  ac  souitum 
reddentibus,  liacke,  hade,  hacke,  &c.  &c.  Dufresne  gives  the 
Med.  L.  hakenekis  et  hakenettus,  equus  tolutarius,  graduarius, 
Gallice  haquenee.  Maudatum  Eduardi  III.,  Regis  Angliae, 
aun.  1373,  apud  Rymer,  torn.  7,  27.  Et  vobis  Hakeneios 
cariagia,  et  alia  necessaria  pro  ductione  filiorum  pra3dictorum, 
in  hac  parte,  pro  denariis  nostris,  inde  solvendis  habere  faciant. 
Charta  ann.  1413,  ibid.  p.  124.  Et  quatuor  equorum,  et  unius 
hakenetti  ;  haqueneya,  equus  tolutarius.  Gall,  haquenee. 
Comput.  ann.  1402,  inter  Probat.  torn.  3.  Hist.  Nem.  p.  169, 
col.  1 :  A  Johanne  Arraudi,  pro  una  haqueneya  morella,  xxxvij 
francos  valentes,  xxxij  libras  Turon.  Un  haubby  d'Irlande, 
apud  Math,  de  Couciaco  in  Carolo  VII.  593. 

HADLEY.  An  excellent  quadrant  used  at  sea ;  so  called 
from  its  inventor,  John  Hadley,  Esq. 

HAGLOE.  A  crab  apple,  raised  by  Mr,  Bellamy,  of 
Hagloe,  CO.  Gloucester. 

HAIDINGERITE.  A  very  rare  mineral;  an  arseniateoflime 
and  water ;  supposed  to  have  been  found  at  Joachimsthal,  in 
Bohemia ;  named  from  its  discoverer  or  analyser,  Haidiuger. 

HAMITIC.  A  term  applied  to  languages  considered  to  be 
intermediate  between  the  Semitic  and  African  lana;uao;es.  The 
word  has  been  replaced  by  the  term  African,  and  is  probably 
derived  from  Xrj^i,  the  Coptic  name  of  Egypt. 

HANDY-PADDY.  An  instrument  to  economise  the  labour 
of  Irishmen  in  lifting  building  materials  to  a  great  height.  It 
consists  of  a  wheel  and  axle,  a  long  rope  and  a  basket,  and 
can  be  seen  at  work  any  day  in  London,  except  on  Sunday. — 
S.  F.  Creswell. 

HANK.  Two  or  more  skeins  of  silk,  cotton,  &c.,  tied  to- 
gether. Webster  gives  the  Dan.  hank,  a  handle,  a  hook,  a 
tack,  a  clasp  ;  Sw.  hank,  a  band.  A  correspondent  of  N.  &  Q., 
(3rd  S.  ii.  478)  says,  Hanks,  a  Bi'abant  manufacturer,  invited 
over  to  England  by  Edward  III.,  circa  1331,  gave  his  name  to 
the  skein  of  worsted. 

HANSARD.  A  merchant  of  one  of  the  Hanse  towns,  in 
the  north  of  Germany. 

HANSARD.    The  name  of  the  books  containing  the  official 


112  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

printed  records  of  the  proceedings  in  Parliament ;  so  called 
from  the  name  of  the  printer. 

HANSOM.  A  superior  kind  of  light  two-wheeled  street 
cab,  in  which  the  driver  is  perched  on  an  elevated  seat  behind  ; 
named  from  the  inventor  or  manufacturer. 

HARBONG  KA  RAJ.  In  Hindustan,  civil  disorders, 
maladministration  :  lit.  the  rule  of  Harbong,  a  rajah  so  named, 
said  to  have  ruled  at  a  place  opposite  Allahabad,  on  the 
Ganges;  thence  termed  Harhong-pur,  and  of  whose  silliness 
and  unfitness  for  government  many  traditional  anecdotes  and 
proverbial  phrases  bear  record. — Elliot, 

HARDAUR,  HARBOUR.  A  name  given  to  oblong 
mounds  raised  in  villages  in  Upper  India,  and  studded  with 
flags  to  avert  epidemic  diseases,  and  especially  cholera ;  so 
named  in  honour  of  Hardaul  Lala,  a  Bundelkhand  chief, 
who,  the  natives  of  Hindustan  believe,  visited  the  camp  of 
Lord  Hastings  with  cholera,  in  punishment  of  the  profanation 
committed  by  the  Europeans  in  having  once  slaughtered  cows 
in  the  grove  where  Hardaul's  ashes  repose. —  Wilson,  Gloss. 

HARLEQUIN  (Fr.  id.  a  buffoon;  It.  arleccldno,  Sp.  arleqinn, 
Armor,  harliqin,  furluqin,  a  juggler).  A  buffoon,  dressed  in 
party-coloured  clothes,  who  plays  tricks,  like  a  merry  Andrew, 
to  divert  the  populace.  This  character  was  first  introduced 
into  the  Italian  comedy,  but  is  now  a  standing  character  in 
English  pantomime  entertainments.  It  has  been  suggested 
that  the  last  part  of  the  word  is  from  the  Goth,  and  Sw.  leca, 
to  play.  Menage  derives  the  word  from  the  name  of  a 
celebrated  comedian,  who  so  much  frequented  the  house  of 
M.  de  Harley  that  his  friends  and  acquaintances  used  to  call 
him  Harlequino,  "little  Harley."  This  derivation  is  not  satis- 
factory.    But  see  Pantaloon. 

HARLEIAN,  A  name  given  to  a  most  valuable  collection 
of  MSS.  now  in  the  British  Museum ;  made  by  Robert  Harley? 
Earl  of  Oxford  and  Mortimer;  born  1661,  died  1724. 

HARLOT.  A  prostitute,  a  common  woman.  Webster 
gives  W.  herlawd,  a  stripling ;  herlodes,  a  hoiden,  from  her  to 
push  or  challenge,  llawd  a  lad ;  and  he  says  that  the  word 
originally  signified   a  bold  siriplinrj,  or  a  hoiden,  and  was  for- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  113 

merlj  applied  to  males  as  well  as  females.  Bailey  says,  q.d. 
whorelet,  a  little  wliore.  The  modern  It.  arlotta  is  a  glutton, 
devourer.  Dr.  Johnson  says  the  mother  of  William  I.  of 
England,  a  furrier's  daughter  of  Falaise,  and  whose  name  was 
Arlotta  (others  write  Arietta),  was  of  so  infamous  a  character 
that  our  term  harlot  is  derived  from  her.  Camden  also  derives 
the  word  from  one  Arlotha,  concubine  to  William  the  Con- 
queror.  In  Scripture,  one  who  forsakes  the  true  God  and 

worships  idols  (Is.  i.  3). A  servant,  a  rogue,  a  cheat  (obs.)  ; 

wanton,  lewd,  low,  base  {Shah.) ;  and,  as  a  verb,  to  practise 
lewdness  {Milton). 

HARPY.  Any  rapacious  or  ravenous  animal;  an  extor- 
tioner; a  plunderer  {Webster)  ;  so  named  from  the  fabulous 
winged  monsters,  having  the  face  of  a  woman  and  the  body 
of  a  vulture,  Avith  their  feet  and  fingers    armed   with  sharp 

claws,  of  which  Virgil  gives  a  description. The  largest  of 

the  eagle  tribe,  the  Harpyia  destructor,  inhabiting  Mexico  and 
Brazil. 

HARRINGTONITE.  A  mineral,  colour  snow-white  ;  of  a 
compact  texture,  much  like  an  almond,  occurring  in  the  north 
of  Ireland  ;  named  after  one  of  the  Harrington  family. 

HARTITE.  A  resin  found  in  clefts  in  brown  coal  and 
fossil  wood  at  Oberhart,  near  Gloggnitz,  in  Austria. 

HARTOGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  from  wiiich  the 
natives  of  Africa  make  their  arrows ;  named  after  Hartog,  a 
Dutch  naturalist. 

HARVEY.  An  apple ;  named  after  the  celebrated  Dr. 
Gabriel  Harvey. 

HARVEY.     A  sauce  invented  by  a  Mr.  Harvey. 

HASSELQUISTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Digynia ; 
named  in  honour  of  Fred.  Hasselquist,  a  Swedish  naturalist, 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  pupils  of  Linnteus. 

HASSELTIA.  A  genus  of  South  American  trees,  or. 
Monogynia ;  named  in  honour  of  the  Dutch  botanist  Van 
Hasselt. 

HATCHETINE.  A  wax-like  substance  occurring  in  the 
nodules  of  ironstone  in  South  Wales;  named  after  Mr. 
Hatchett. 


114  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

HAUSMANNITE.  One  of  the  ores  of  manganese,  colour 
brownish-black,  named  after  M.  Hausmanu. 

HAUYNE.  A  mineral  of  a  blue  colour  of  various  shades, 
found  imbedded  in  volcanic  rocks,  basalt,  clinkstone,  &c. ; 
named  after  the  French  mineralogist  Haiiy. 

HAVANNAH.  A  celebrated  tobacco,  of  which  cigars  are 
made  ;  named  from  Havannah,  capital  city  of  the  island  of 
Cuba,  whence  it  is  brought. 

HAVETIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  natives  of  the 
Andes ;  named  in  honour  of  the  French  botanist,  M.  Havet. 

HAWKESBURY.  Name  of  a  duck  (the  A7ias  julata) 
inhabiting  New  South  Wales,  especially  Hawkesbury  River 
there. 

HAY^'DENITE.  A  mineral  resembling  chabasite,  and 
perhaps  identical  with  it ;  occurring  near  Baltimore,  where  it 
was  discovered  by  Dr.  Hay  den. — Webster. 

HA  YE  SINE.  A  mineral,  a  borate,  occurring  over  the  dry 
plains  near  Iquique,  in  Southern  Peru ;  named  after  Hayes. 
The  native  name  is  tiza. 

HAY^'LOCKIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Monogjjnia ; 
named  in  honour  of  Mr.  M.  Haylocke. 

HEBENSTREITIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiospermia  ; 
natives  of  the  Cape  ;  named  after  Ernst  Hebeustreit,  a  pro- 
fessor at  Upsal. 

HECTOR.  To  threaten;  to  bully;  to  treat  with  insolence 
{Dri/den).  To  tease;  to  vex;  to  torment  by  words;  from 
Hector,  son  of  Priam,  and  the  most  valiant  of  all  the  Trojans. 
The  sense  seems  to  have  been  greatly  changed.  ("  The  epithet 
of  a  hectoring  fellow  is  a  more  familiar  instance  of  a  participle 
similarly  formed,  though  strangely  distorted  in  its  use  to  express 
a  meaning  almost  the  opposite  of  its  original.  The  Hector  of 
Homer  unites,  we  know, 

'The  mildest  manners  with  the  bravest  mind.' 

The  sole  bulwark  of  Troy,  he  reveres  the  opinion  of  her 
citizens ;  armed  and  hastening  to  the  battle,  he  stops  to  cai'ess 
his  infant  and  to  soothe  the  afflictions  of  its  mother ;  to  his 


VERBA    NOMINAL] A.  115 

brother's  faults  he  is  indulgent ;  and  Helen  herself  witnesses 

over  his  grave  that  she  had  never  heard  from  him  one  accent 

of  unkindness,  or  ceased  to  be  protected  from  the  reproach  of 

others  by  his  mild  speech  and  kindly  dispositions  : — 

->    / 

z,y]  T  ccyacvo!ppo(ruvT],  ko-l  crois  _-_a  y  -s  eitmrixi. 

Nugae  Metrical,  an  unpublished  work  by  Lord  Grenville,  1824, 
p.  86.     E.  II.  B.) 

HEDENBERGITE.  A  dark  or  nearly  black  cleavable 
variety  of  augite,  semi-metallic  in  appearance,  containing  a 
large  proportion  of  oxide  of  iron  (Dana)  ;  from  Hedenberg, 
who  first  analysed  it. 

HEISTERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  uat.  or  Olacacece,  called 
after  M.  Heister,  professor  of  botany  at  Helmstadt. —  Crahb. 

HELILAII-KABULEE  or  CABULI.  A  purgative 
Indian  plum,  the  myrobalan  of  the  Arabs.  D'Herbelot  thinks 
the  name  to  be  from  Cahul,  from  having  been  first  brought 
thence  to  Arabia. 

HELLENISM.  A  phrase  in  the  idiom,  genius,  or  construc- 
tion of  the  Greek  language,  i.e.  the  language  spoken  by  the 
Hellenes,  who  were  so  called  from  Hellas,  in  Greece,  or,  as 
some  say,  from  Hellen. 

HELLENIST.  A  Grecian  Jew;  a  Jew  who  used  the 
Greek  language ;  one  skilled  in  the  Greek  language.  See 
Hellenism. 

HELLENISTIC.  Pertaining  to  the  Hellenists;  as  the 
Hellenistic  language,  i.e.  the  Greek  spoken  or  used  by  the 
Jews  who  lived  in  Egypt  and  other  countries  whei'e  the  Greek 
language  prevailed. 

HELOT.  A  slave  in  ancient  Sparta;  so  named  from  Helos 
(EA05),  a  city  of  Laconia,  which  was  taken  and  destroyed  by 
the  LacediBmonians,  under  Agis  III.,  who  reduced  the  EiAcyra; 
to  the  lowest  and  most  miserable  slavery. 

HELOTISM.     The  condition  of  the  Helots,  q.v. 

HERACLEA.  Water  horehound ;  from  Heraclea,  near 
which  it  grows. — Forsyth. 

HERCULEAN.     Very  great,  difficult,  or  dangerous;  such 

I  2 


116  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

as   it   would  require  the  strength  aud  courage  of  Hercules  to 

encounter  or  accomplish;  as  Herculean  labour  or   task. 

Having  extraordinary  strength  aud  size;  as  Herculean  limbs. 

HERCULES.  A  constellation  in  the  northern  hemisphere, 
near  Lyra;  named  I'rom  Hercules.  It  has  also  been  called 
Hercules  cum  Bamo  et  Cerbero. 

HERDERITE.  A  mineral  occuiTing  in  Saxony,  in  crystals 
imbedded  in  fluor  (Brcmcle) ;  named  from  Herder,  who  dis- 
covered it. 

HERITIERA.  Looking-glass  plant,  a  genus,  nat.  or.  Ster- 
culariacece ;  called  after  L'Heritier  de  Bautelle,  a  French 
botanist. — Crabb. 

HERM ANNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Sterculanacece ; 
called  after  Hermann,  a  botanist  and  traveller  in  Ceylon. 

HERMAPHRODITE.  An  animal  partaking  of  the  nature 
of  the  two  sexes.  The  word  is  said  to  be  derived  from  Her- 
maphroditus,  son  of  Hermes  and  Venus.  The  poets  feign 
that  Salmacis  fell  in  love  with  him,  and  begged  of  the  gods 
that  their  bodies  might  be  always  united,  and  make  but  one. 
The  word  is  derived  from  'Epfxrjs   Mercury,  A^po^irrj  Yenus; 

i.e.   partaking   of  both   sexes. A  flower  that  contains  both 

the   stamen  and  the  pistil,  or  the  male  and  female  organs  of 
generation  within  the   same  calyx,  or  on  the  same  receptacle. 

A  plant  that  has  only  hermaphrodite  flowers. A  brig 

that  is  square-rigged  forward,  and  schooner-rigged  aft. 

HERMENEUTIC,  HERMENEUTICAL.  Interpreting, 
explaining,  unfolding  the  signification,  as  hermeneutic  theo- 
logy, the  art  of  expounding  the  Scriptures;  from  spij^rjVBVs  an 
interpreter,  from  Ep!J.rjS  Mercury. 

HERMENEUTIC S.  The  science  of  interpretation,  or  of 
finding  the  meaning  of  an  author's  words  and  phrases,  and  of 
explaining  it  to  others;  particularly  applied  to  the  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Scriptures.     See  Hermeneutic. 

HERMES.  A  name  given  to  rough  quadrangular  stones  or 
pillars,  having  a  head  sculptured  on  the  top,  without  arms  or 
body.  Such  stones  were  placed  by  the  Greeks  in  front  of 
buildings,  and  used  by  the  Romans  as  boundaries  or  land- 
marks.    As    they    originally    bore    the   head   of    Hermes,   or 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  117 

Mercury,  thej  have  been  called  by  this  name,  even  when  sur 
mounted  by  the  heads  of  other  deities,  &c. 

HERMETIC,  IIERMETICAL.  Designating  chemistry; 
chemical ;  as  the  hermetic  art;  so  named  from  Hermes, 
Mercury,  fabled  inventor  of  chemistry;  others  say  from 
Hermes  Trismegistus,  an  Egyptian  priest  and  philosopher,  who, 
according  to  Diodorus,  was   the  friend  and   counsellor  of  the 

great  Osiris. Designating  that  species  of  philosophy  which 

pretends  to  solve  and  explain  all  the  phenomena  of  nature 
from  the  three  chemical  principles,  salt,  sulphur,  and  mercury; 

as  the  hermetic  philosophy. Designating  the  system  which 

explains  the  causes  of  diseases,  and  the  operations  of  medicine, 
on  the  principles  of  the  hermetic  philosophy,  and  particularly 
on  the  system  of  an  alkali  and  acid  ;  as  hermetical  physic  or 

medicine. Perfectly  close,  so  that  no  air,  gas,  or  spirit  can 

escape;  as  a  hermetic  seal.  Hence,  hermetic  books;  books  of 
the  Egyptians,  which  treat  of  astrology ;  books  which  treat  of 
universal  principles,  of  the  nature  and  orders  of  celestial 
beings,  of  medicine,  and  other  topics. 

HERMITAGE.     A  fine,  high-flavoured,  red  wine,  grown 
on  the  slope  of  a  hill  near  L'Hermitage,  Tain,  in  the  valley  of 

the  Rhone. A  white  wine.     The  grape  is  called  Ceras,  and 

is  said  to  have  been  brought  from  Shiraz,  in  Persia,  by  one  of 
the  hermits  of  the  mountain,  on  whose  summit  are  ruins  of 
what  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  hei'mit's  cell. 

HERMODACTYL.  In  the  materia  medica,  a  root  from 
Turkey,  in  the  shape  of  a  heart  flattened,  anciently  in  great 
repute  as  a  cathartic;  but  that  which  is  now  fui'nished  having 
little  or  no  cathartic  quality.  Some  derive  the  word  from 
E^|X7jc  Mercury,  5axTuAoc  a  finger;  Mercury's  finger.  Eor- 
syth,  however,  thinks  it  was  more  jirobably  named  from  Hei'- 
inius,  a  river  of  Asia,  upon  whose  banks  it  grew;  and  SccktvXo;, 
a  date,  which,  he  says,  it  resembles. 

HERNANDIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of 
which  ai'e  H.  so7iora,  Whistling  Ilernandia,  or  jack-in-a-box, 
a  tall  erect  tree,  native  of  various  parts  of  the  East  and  West 
Indies;  named  from  the  noise  made  by  the  wind  in  whistling 
through  its  persistent  involucels  ;  and  the  H.  ovigera  or  Jno- 


118  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

carpus,  egg-pointed  Hernandia,  native  of  North  America. 
Tlie  genus  derives  its  name  from  Francisco  Hernandez,  a 
naturalist  sent  out  to  Mexico  by  Philip  II.  of  Spain. 

HERSCHEL.  A  planet  discovered  by  Dr.  Herschel  in 
1781,  first  called  Georgmm  Sidus,  and  now  Uranus. 

HERSCHELIAN.  Designating  a  reflecting  telescope  of 
the  form  invented  by  Sir  William  Herschel.  In  this  telescope 
only  one  speculum  is  employed,  by  means  of  which  an  image 
of  the  object  is  formed  near  one  side  of  the  open  end  of  the 
tube,  to  which  the  eyeglass  is  applied  directly. 

HERSCHELITE.  A  mineral  found  in  olivine,  i.e.  an  olive- 
coloured  silicate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  along  with  Phillipsite, 
at  Aci  Castello,  Etna,  Sicily,  by  one  of  the  Herschels. 

HESSIAN.  A  boot  formerly  much  worn  in  England ; 
so  named  either  from  being  introduced  from  Hesse,  in  Ger- 
many,   or  from  being  first  worn    by    Hessian   troops. A 

small  two-winged  fly  or  midge,  nearly  black,  very  destructive 
to  young  wheat ;  so  called  from  having  been  brought  into 
America  by  the  Hessian  troops  during  the  revolution. 

HESYCHIUS.  A  valuable  Greek  lexicon  extant,  bearing 
the  name  of  the  author,  who  is  supposed  to  have  lived  about 
the  fifth  or  sixth  century  after  the  Christian  era. 

HEULANDITE.  A  mineral,  colour  of  various  shades  of 
white  passing  into  red,  grey,  and  brown;  occurring  principally 
in  amygdaloidal  rocks,  also  in  gneiss,  &c. ;  named  after  the 
English  mineralogist  Heuland. 

HIBBERTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  Australia ; 
named  in  honour  of  George  Hibbert,  F.R.S. 

HIBERNICISM.  An  idiom  or  mode  of  speech  peculiar  to 
the  Irish,  i.e.  the  natives  of  Hibernia. 

HILARY  TERM.  The  term  of  courts,  &c  ,  beginning 
about  the  festival  of  St.  Hilary,  or  near  the  middle  of 
January. 

HINDOOISM  or  HINDUISM.  The  doctrines  and  rites 
of  the  Hindoos  or  Hindus ;  the  system  of  religious  principles 
among  the  Hindoos,  or  natives  of  Hindustan. 

HINDOOSTANEE  or  HINDUSTANI.  The  language 
of  the  Hindoos  or  Hindus. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  119 

IIIPPOCRAS  or  IPOCRAS.    A  medicinal  drink,  composed 
of  wine  with  an  infusion  of  spices  and  other  ingredients ;  used 

{IS  a  cordial. A  name  given  to  a  kind  of  hot  spiced  wine, 

inuch  in  use  in  the  Middle  Ages,  and  drank  at  all  great  enter- 
tainments between  the  courses,  or  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
repast.  It  appears  to  have  been  indifferently  made  of  red  or 
white  wine.  Some  assert  that  it  was  first  made  by  Hippo- 
crates or  Hippocras.  Webster  says  "  quasi  wine  of  Hippo- 
crates." According  to  others  it  had  its  name  from  a  peculiar 
sort  of  cloth  bag  called  Hippocrates'  sleeve,  through  which 
it  was  strained.  Menage  derives  the  Fr.  hypocras  (formerly 
written  ipocras)  from  iitOQ,  which  he  says  in  Hippocrates 
signifies  a  drink,  and  xaacriov,  a  word  used  by  the  modern 
Greeks  for  wine;  although  it  evidently  comes  from  Kpacng,  sig- 
nifying a  mixture,  and  everything  made  of  wine  with  water. 
See  also  Quar.  Rev.  June,  1825,  245.  Gent.  Mag.  vol.  98, 
part  ii.  304,  1828  ;  and  Pegge. 

HIPPOCRATEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Hippocra- 
teacem  ;  called  after  Hippocrates,  a  Greek  physician,  considered 
the  father  of  botany. 

HIPPOCRATISM.  The  philosophy  of  Hippocrates,  as  it 
regards  medicine. 

HISINGERITE.  A  mineral  found  in  the  cavities  of  cal- 
careous spar,  in  Sudermannland ;  doubtless  named  after  Hisin- 
ger.  Hisingen  is  the  appellation  of  an  island  upon  which 
Gottenburg  was  originally  built. 

HOBBISM.  The  principles  of  the  sceptical  Thomas 
Hobbes. — Skelton. 

HOBSON'S  CHOICE.  A  vulgar  proverbial  expression 
denoting  a  choice  without  an  alternative ;  the  thing  offered  or 
nothing.  It  is  said  to  have  had  its  origin  in  a  person  at 
Cambridge  named  Hobson,  who  let  horses,  and  obliged  every 
customer  to  take  in  his  turn  that  horse  which  stood  next  the 
stable  door. — Encyc.  Am. 

HOCK.  A  highly  esteemed  Rhenish  Avine,  properly  called 
Ilochheimer ;  from  Hochheim,  in  Nassau,  where  it  is  pro- 
duced. 

HOCUS-POCUS.  A  juggler,  a  juggler's  trick,  a  cheat  used 


120  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

by  jugglers;  and,  as  a  verb,  to  cheat.  Webster  suggests  that 
this  word  may  be  from  W.  hoced,  a  cheat  or  trick,  and  Iwg  or 
pwca,  a  hobgoblin.  According  to  others,  this  familiar  phrase 
originated  in  derision  of  the  words  Hoc  est  coi-pus  meumi 
slovenly  pronounced  by  the  mumbling  priest  in  delivering  the 
emblem  as  a  reality  (Cf.  D'Israeli,  Amen.  Lit.,  and  Athen. 
Sept.  18,  1841).  Tillotson  is  of  the  same  opinion.  He  says,  "  In 
all  j)robability  these  common  juggling  words  are  nothing  but 
a  corruption  of  Hoc  est  corpus,  by  way  of  ridiculous  imita- 
tion of  the  priests  of  the  Church  of  Rome  in  their  trick  of 
Transubstantiation.  Sharon  Turner  (Hist.  Anglo-Saxons,  Ap- 
pend, to  b.  ii.  c.  3),  however,  derives  the  word  from  Ochus- 
Bochus,  a  magician  and  demon  much  feared  in  the  north  of 
Europe.  Further  he  derives  the  term  Old  Nick  from  Nechus, 
a  malign  deity  who  frequented  the  waters. 

HOFFMANSEGGIA.  A  family  of  leguminous  plants, 
shrubs,  named  in  honour  of  J.  C.  HofFmansegg,  a  German 
botanist. 

HOLLAND.  Fine  linen  first  manufactured  in  Holland. 
It  is  called  in  French  toile  d'Hollande.  In  like  manner  the 
Spaniards  call  a  sort  of  fine  linen  Iretana,  from  being  brought 
from  Bretagne. 

HOLLANDS  (^Schiedani).  A  spirit  made  in  Holland.  It 
resembles  gin,  except  in  the  impurity  of  the  latter. 

HOLMITE.  A  variety  of  carbonate  of  lime,  analysed  by 
Holme. 

HOMERIC.  Pertaining  to  Homer  or  his  poetry ;  resem- 
bling his  verse. 

HONITON.  A  pillow  or  cushion  lace  remarkable  for  the 
beauty  of  its  figures  and  sprigs,  which  are  sewed  on  to  a  net ; 
made  at  Honiton,  in  Devonshire. 

HOO  SZE.  Raw  silk ;  so  called  from  Hoo-kwang,  a  pro- 
vince of  China,  where  it  is  produced. 

HOTTENTOT.  A  savage  brutal  man ;  lit.  one  belonging 
to  a  South  African  tribe,  formerly  considered  the  most  degraded 
of  the  human  race. 

HOTTENTOTISM.  Amman  distinguishes  two  species  of 
stammering ;  the  first  he  calls   Hotteutotism,  which   consists 


VERBA    NOMINAT.IA.  121 

in  modifying  the   sounds  in  such  a  manner  that  they  become 
unintelligible;  so  called  from  the  Hottentots  of  South  Africa. 
IIOTTONIA.     The  water-violet,  a  genus  of  plants;  named 
in  honour  of  Professor  Hotton,  of  Leyden. 

nOUSTONIA.  A  vernal  plant,  native  of  Virginia; 
named  after  Wm.  Houston,  F.R.S.,  an  English  physician  and 
botanist.  He  died  in  the  West  Indies  in  1733,  leaving  a  MS. 
catalogue  of  plants,  the  publication  of  vv^hich  was  undertaken 
by  Sir  Joseph  Banks. 

HOUTTUYNIA.  A  plant,  root  annual,  discovered  by 
Thunberg  in  Japan  ;  named  in  honour  of  Mart.  Houttuyn, 
M.D.,  of  Holland,  author  of  Natuurlyke  Historie,  Amst. 
1773-83. 

HOVENIA.  A  genus  of  Asiatic  plants,  or.  Monogynia ; 
named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Ploven,  of  Amsterdam. 

HUDIBRASTIC.  A  term  applied  to  doggerel  verse,  like 
that  in  which  Butler's  Hudibras  is  composed.  "Its  author  is 
known  as  the  immortal  Samuel  Butler,  and  every  specimen  of 
later  satirical  verse  remotely  approaching  his  in  measure  or 
style  is  christened  Hudibrastic."  ..."  From  the  general 
level  of  broad  humour  and  pungent  wit  which  has  given  a 
name  to  the  Hudibrastic  manner,  he  sometimes  rises  by  a  touch 
of  imagination  into  a  pure  poetical  beauty  which  would  not  be 
generally  called  Hudibrastic."     Sat.  Rev.  July  16,  1864. 

HUDSONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs;  or.  Monogynia; 
named  after  William  Hudson,  F.R.S. 

HUERNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Digynia;  named  in 
honour  of  the  botanist  Justus  Huernius. 

HUGONIA.  A  plant,  a  tree,  of  only  one  species,  native 
of  the  East  Indies ;  named  by  Linnseus  in  memory  of  Augustus 
Johannes  de  Hugo,  who  travelled  in  Switzerland  with  Haller 
in  1732,  and  assisted  him  with  his  Herbarium. 

HUGUENOT.  A  name  formerly  given  to  a  Protestant 
by  the  Catholics  of  France,  Numerous  derivations  have 
been  suggested,  many  of  which  will  be  found  in  Menage. 
Among  others  are  G.  eidgenossen,  confederates,  from  eid  oath, 
genoss  consort ;  les  guenots  de  Husse,  John  Huss's  imps ;  hue 
nos   venimus,   the   beginning   of  the   first   protestation   of    the 


122  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Apologetical  Oration  nicacle  before  Cardinal  Lotliaringus,  temp. 
Francis  II.  of  France  ;  but  the  most  reasonable  suggestion  is 
from  Ilugon,  a  gate  in  Tours,  where  they  first  assembled ;  or 
fi-om  Hugo,  Hugon,  or  Ungues,  their  leader.  The  author  of 
Memoires  et  Eecherches  de  la  France,  attributed  to  Jan  de  la 
Haye,  p.  261,  speaking  of  the  ravages  made  by  the  Huguenots 
against  the  Ecclesiastics,  says,  "  De  la  furent  appellez  Huguenots, 
parce  que  les  Francois  se  souvinrent  de  la  grande  persecution 
que  leur  ayeux  avoient  receu  tant  des  Gots,  Visigots,  et  Ostro- 
gots,  et  nommerent  ces  dei'niers  persecuteurs  Huguenots,  acause 
d'un  nomme  Hugues,  lequel  avoit  este  Sacramentaire  du  temps 
du  Roy  Charles  VI."  Again,  J.  Le  Frere  de  Laval,  La  Vraye 
et  entiere  Histoire  des  Troubles,  p.  103,  says  "  Un  certain 
historien  Espagnol,  qui  a  ecrit  I'Histoire  des  Papcs  en  sa 
langue,  a  invente  un  homme  de  sa  fa^on,  appelle  Hugo,  Heresi- 
arque  Sacramentaire  ;  Hugo,  Haeresiarcha  Sacramentarius  ;  de 
qui  les  Heretiques  de  France  ont  este  appellez  Huguenots." 

Bailey  gives  also  "  Huguenote  (Fr.),  a  kind  of  kettle  for  a 

stove,  or  an  earthen  stove  for  a  pot  to  boil  on ;  hence,  A  la 
huguenote,  in  cookery,  a  particular  way  of  dressing  eggs  with 
gravy." 

HUMBOLDTINE.  A  native  oxalate  of  iron  ;  named  after 
Humboldt. 

IIUMBOLDTITE.  A  rai-e  mnieral,  consisting  of  a  boro- 
silicate  of  iron,  found  in  trap  rocks  in  the  Tyrol ;  named  after 
Humboldt. 

HUMBUG-.  An  imposition  under  pretences  ;  one  who  thus 
imposes.  According  to  some,  the  word  is  derived  from  Ham- 
burg, or  rather,  "  news  from  Hamburg,"  because  in  war  times 
news  from  that  city,  being  frequently  false,  was  generally 
looked  upon  with  distrust.  The  word  has  also  been  derived 
from  Ilomberg,  the  distinguished  chemist  of  the  court  of  the 
Duke  of  Orleans,  who,  according  to  a  passage  from  Bishop 
Berkeley's  Shns,  was  an  ardent  and  successful  seeker  after 
the  philosopher's  stone !  "  The  derivation  of  this  Avord, 
now  in  such  common  use,  is  not  generally  known ;  but  it  is  of 
Scotch  origin.  There  was  in  former  years  residing  in  the 
neighbourhood  of    the  Mearns,  in   Scotland,   a  gentleman   of 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  123 

liinded  property  whose  name  was  Hume  or  Home ;  and  his 
estate  was  known  as  the  Bogue.  From  the  great  falsehoods 
that  Hume  of  the  Bogue  was  in  the  habit  of  relating  about 
himself,  his  family,  and  everything  connected  with  him,  it  soon 
became  customary,  when  persons  heard  anything  that  was 
remarkably  extravagant  or  absurd,  to  say,  '  That  is  a  Hume  o' 
the  Bogue.'  The  exj^ression  spread  like  wildfire  over  the 
Avhole  country,  and  those  who  did  not  understand  the  origin 
of  the  phrase,  and  applied  it  only  to  any  extravagant  action  or 
saying,  contracted  it  into  one  word,  and  corrupted  it  to  hum- 
hug.  We  must  define  humbug.  It  is  not  naked  untruth.  A 
draper's  assistant  who  tells  a  lady  that  a  dress  will  wash  when 
it  will  not  does  not  humbug  her — he  merely  cheats  her ;  but  if 
he  persuades  her  to  buy  a  good-for-nothing  muslin  by  telling 
her  that  he  has  sold  such  another  to  a  duchess  he  humbugs 
her,  whether  he  speaks  truly  or  not ;  he  imposes  an  inference 
in  favour  of  his  commodity,  through  her  large  vanity  upon  her 
small  mind.  Humbug  thus  consists  in  making  people  deceive 
themselves,  by  supplying  them  with  premises,  true  or  false, 
from  which,  by  reason  of  their  ignorance,  weakness,  or  pre- 
judice, they  draw  wrong  conclusion." — Pulleyn.  See  also 
Hotteri's  Slang  Diet. 

HUMITE.  A  reddish-brown  mineral,  found  near  Naples 
in  a  rock  of  granular  topaz ;  named  after  Sir  Abraham 
Hume. 

HUNGARY  GREEN  or  MOUNTAIN  GREEN.  A 
sort  of  greenish  powder  found  in  little  grains,  like  sand, 
among  the  mountains  of  Kernausent  in  Hungary,  and  those  of 
Moldavia. 

HUNTERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  named  in  honour 
of  Dr.  William  Hunter,  of  Bengal. 

HUNTLEYA.  A  genus  of  orchidaceous  plants ;  named 
after  the  Rev.  J.  T.  Huntley. 

HUREAULITE.  A  mineral  of  a  reddish-yellow  hue,  oc- 
curring in  very  small  crystals,  found  in  the  granite  of  Hureau 
or  Ilureault,  near  Limoges,  in  France. 

HURLY-BURLY.  Tumult,  bustle,  confusion  (ShaL); 
"said  to  owe  its  origin  to  Hurleigh   and  Burleigh,  two  neigh- 


124  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

bouring    families   that  filled  the   country   around   theni   with 
contest  and  violence  "  {Pulleyn). 

HURONIA.  The  generic  name  assigned  by  Mr.  C.  Stokes 
to  certain  radiated  corallines  found  by  Dr.  Bigsby  in  the  trans- 
ition limestone  of  Lake  Huron,  Upper  Canada. 

HUEONITE.  A  mineral,  colour  yellowish-green ;  found 
in  boulder  stones  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lake  Huron. 

HURRAH.  A  shout  of  joy  or  exultation.  The  origin  of 
this  word  belongs  to  the  primitive  idea  that  all  men  who  die 
for  their  country  go  to  heaven;  hur-raj  in  Slavonic  meaning 
Paradise. — Dalmatian  Observer. 

HUYGHENIAN.  An  eye-piece  for  diminishing  the 
spherical  aberration  by  producing  the  refractions  at  two  glasses 
instead  of  one,  and  increasing  the  field  of  view ;  invented  by 
Huyghens,  the  eminent  mathematician  and  astronomer. 

HYACINTII  (L.  hjacinthus,  Gr.  vccynv^os).  Popular  name 
of  some  species  of  a  genus  of  plants,  said  by  the  poets  to  have 
been  called  after  the  youth  Hyacinthus,  who,  having  been 
accidentally  killed,  was  changed  by  his  friend  Apollo  into  this 

flower. A  red  variety  of  zircon,  sometimes  used  as  a  gem. 

The  colour  of  "  tenne  "  or  orange. 

HYACINTHINE.  Made  of,  consisting  of,  or  resembling 
hyacinth. — Milton. 

HYGIEINA,  HYGIEINE,  or  HYGIENE.  Health,  or 
the  art  or  science  of  preserving  health ;  that  department  of 
medicine  which  treats  of  the  preservation  of  Irealth ;  said 
to  be  so  named  from  Hygeia,  goddess  of  health.  The  Greek 
has  vyiaiyco,  to  be  well. 

HYGIENIC.     Pertaining  to  health.     See  Hygieina. 

HYMEN  (Gr.   vixr^v).      The   virginal  membrane;    said   to- 
have  been  so  called  from  Hymen,  son  of  Bacchus  and  Venus, 
who   presided  over  marriages,  because  this  membrane  is  sup- 
posed to  be  entire  before  marriage. The  fine  pellicle  which 

encloses  a  flower  in  the  bud. 

HYMENEAL,  HYMENEAN.  Pertaining  to  marriage 
(Fope). A  marriage  song  {Milton).     See  Hymen. 

HYSON.  A  species  of  green  tea  from  China  ;  named  after 
the  merchant  Avho  first  imported  (exported  ?)  it. — Encyc.  Brit. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  125 


I. 


IBERIS.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Cruciferce ;  so  called 
from  Iberia,  in  Spain,  where  it  was  fii'st  found. 

ICARIAN.  Adventurous  in  flight;  soaring  too  high  for 
safety,  like  Icarus,  son  of  Dajdalus,  who  fled  on  wings  to 
escape  the  resentment  of  Minos,  but  whose  flight  being  too 
high,  he  fell  into  the  sea  and  was  drowned,  the  sun  having 
melted  the  wax  that  cemented  his  wings. 

IDRIALIN.  A  substance  consisting  of  carbon  and  hydro- 
gen ;  from  the  quicksilver  mines  at  Idria,  in  Carniola. 

ILIAD.  An  epic  poem  in  twenty-four  books,  composed  by 
Homer.  The  subject  of  this  poem  is  the  wrath  of  Achilles, 
in  describing  which  the  poet  exhibits  the  miserable  effects  of 
disunion  and  public  dissensions  ;  hence  the  phrase  Ilias  malo- 
runi,  an  Iliad  of  woes  or  calamities  ;  a  world  of  disasters 
{^Cicero);  named  from  Ilium,  Ilion,  Troy. 

ILMENITE  (another  name  for  Mengite).  A  black  metallic 
mineral,  consisting  of  titanic  acid  and  oxide  of  iron;  said  to 
occur  in  granite  veins  in  the  Ilmen  mountains  ;  but  qu.  where  ? 
Ilmen  is  the  name  of  a  lake  of  Russia,  gov.  Novgorod,  which 
discharges  its  surplus  waters  into  Lake  Ladoga ;  and  Ilmenau 
is  the  appellation  of  a  town  and  of  a  river  of  Germany. 
Brooke's  name  Ilmenite  being  preoccupied,  it  was  changed  by 
Rose  to  Mengite. 

INDIA  or  INDIAN  RUBBER.  A  substance  produced  by 
incision  from  several  trees  of  different  genera  ;  from  India. 

INDIAMAN.     A  large  ship  employed  in  the  India  trade. 

INDIAN  or  INDIA  INK.  A  substance  said  to  consist  of 
lampblack  and  animal  glue,  brought  chiefly  from  China,  and 
used  in  water  colours. 

INDIANITE.  A  doubtful  mineral  of  the  feldspar  family ; 
from  India. 

INDICOLITE.  A  variety  of  shorl  or  tourmalin  of  an 
indigo-blue  colour,  sometimes  with  a  tinge  of  azure  or  green ; 
from  indicum,  indigo,  and  Xi^o;,  a  stone. 


126  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

INDIGO.  A  drug  of  a  fine  colour,  prepared  from  the 
leaves  and  branches  of  the  Indigofera  tinctoria.  The  word  was 
formerly  written  indico,  and  is  derived  from  Tndicum  lignum, 
being  brought  from  India. 

INDIGrOGEN.  White  or  reduced  indigo,  produced  by  the 
action  upon  blue  indigo  of  any  deoxidating  body. 

INDIGOMETEE.  An  instrument  for  ascertaining  the 
strength  of  indig-o. 

INNISHEOWN.  A  celebrated  whisky  distilled  at  Inni- 
sheown,  near  Derry,  Ireland. 

INULA.     See  Elecampane. 

INULIN.  A  peculiar  vegetable  principle  extracted  from 
the  Inula  helenium,  or  elecampane.     See  Elecampane. 

INVERNESS.  A  sort  of  woollen  cape  worn  by  men;  from 
Inverness,  in  Scotland. 

IONIC.  An  oz'der  in  architecture  characterised  by  a  species 
of  column,  simple  and  majestic,  more  slender  than  the  Doric 
and  the  Tuscan,  but  less  slender  and  less  ornamented  than  the 
Corinthian  and  Composite,  and  whose  distinguishing  feature  is 
the  volute  of  its  capital;  named  from  Ionia,  in  Asia  Minor, 

where  it  originated. A  dialect  of  the  Greek  language  used 

in  Ionia. In   poetry,   a  foot  consisting   of  four  syllables, 

either  two  short  and  two  long,  or  two  long  and  two  short. 

Among  the  ancients  a  light  and  airy  kind  of  music. 

IRANEE.  A  horse  well  limbed,  and  very  powerful 
in  the  quarters ;  brought  from  Iran,  the  ancient  name  of 
Persia. 

IRISHISM.  A  mode  of  speaking  peculiar  to  the 
Irish. 

IRVINISM.  The  ism  of  the  Rev.  Edward  I  rving,  who 
associated  himself  with  the  so-called  "  prophets,"  who  pre- 
tended to  be  inspired  with  the  gift  of  prophecy,  encouraged 
manifestations  of  the  "  unknown  tongues,"  and  committed 
other  offences  against  ecclesiastical  discipline.  In  1830  he 
was  convicted  by  the  Scotch  presbytery  in  London,  and  dis- 
missed from  his  incumbency  in  Regent  Square.  A  vacant 
picture  gallery  in  Newman  Street,  Oxford  Street,  was,  how- 
ever,  afterwards  converted  into   a  chapel  for  him  by  his  ad- 


VERBA    KOMINALIA.  127 

mirers,  and  here  he  was  i^ermitted  to  indulge  unrestrained  the 
pro^ihetic  messages  with  Avhich  he  believed  himself  to  be 
charged.  He  was  born  in  1792  at  Annan,  in  Scotland,  and 
died  6th  December,  1834. 

ISABEL  (Fr.  isahelle,  couleur  Isabelle).  A  brownish-yellow 
colour  Avith  a  shade  of  brownish-red ;  named  after  Isabelle  of 
Austria,  daughter  of  Philip  II.  of  Spain  and  Elizabeth  of 
France.  Isabelle  (born  1566,  died  1633),  having  married 
Albert,  son  of  the  Emperor  Maximilian,  and  received  as  a 
dowry  the  sovereignty  of  the  Low  Countries,  declared  war 
against  Holland,  was  present  and  assisted  at  the  famous  siege 
of  Ostend,  and  frustrated  the  attempts  of  the  Prince  of 
Orange  to  draAV  over  to  his  side  the  Roman  Catholic  j)rovinces. 
Despairing  at  the  long  resistance  of  the  siege,  Isabelle,  it  is 
said,  swore  she  would  not  change  her  linen  until  she  was 
mistress  of  the  place.  Ostend  having  resisted  nearly  three 
years,  the  linen  worn  by  the  princess  became  of  a  tawny 
colour  ;  hence,  it  is  said,  the  name  Isabelle  for  this  colour.  The 
French  biographer  says,  "  The  epoch  at  Avliich  the  infanta 
made  this  strange  voav  is  not  fixed,  but,  inasmuch  as  the  siege 
lasted  three  years,  three  months,  and  three  days,  it  is  not  at 
all  astonishing  that  the  linen  Avhich  the  princess  wore  should 
have  become  of  the  faAvn  colour,  Avhich,  after  her  name,  is 
still  called  couleur  Isabelle."  It  is  possible,  hoAvever,  that  the 
colour  may  haA'e  been  named  from  the  complexion  of  the 
princess.  After  speaking  of  the  vain  attempts  to  place  the 
princess  on  the  throne  of  France,  the  biographer  says,  '*'  C'est 
ainsi  que  des  anuees  entieres  d'eiforts  et  de  combinaisons 
politiques  se  terminerent  par  une  scene  de  comedie.  Ce  ridi- 
cule ne  pouvait  echapper  aux  auteurs  de  la  fameuse  Satire 
Menippee.  Dans  la  caricature  des  etats  de  Paris,  c'est  le 
portrait  de  VEpousee  de  la  Ligue,  c'est-a-dire  de  I'infante  elle- 
meme,  qui  est  suspendu  sur  la  tete  du  president.  Au-dessous 
du  portrait  sont  ecrits  ces  vers,  qui  contiennent  une  double 
epigramme — 

'  Pourtant  si je  suis  brutette. 
Amy,  n'en  prenez  emoy; 
Car  autant  aimer  souhaitte 
Qu'une  plus  blanche  que  moy.' 


128  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Le  teint  basane  de  la  princesse,  et  son  age,  qui  n'etait  cepen- 
(iaiit  que  de  vingt-huit  a  trente  ans,  ne  sont  jamais  oublies  dans 
les  satires  ni  meme  dans  les  discours  dont  elle  etait  I'objet." 
The  French  word  is  also  used  in  Entomology,  Ichthyology, 
Ornithology,  &c. 

ISABELLINO.  A  new  gold  coin  of  Spain  equal  to  100 
reals  ;  named  from  Queen  Isabel. 

ITALICS.  Italic  letters  or  characters;  letters  which 
stand  inclining ;  the  letters  in  which  this  clause  is  printed.  So 
called  because  first  used  in  Italy. 

ITALIANATE.  To  render  Italian,  or  conformable  to 
Italian  customs  (obs.) 

ITALIANIZE.     To  play  the  Italian  ;  to  speak  Italian. 

lOXIA.  A  genus  of  bulbous  plants,  or.  7l/o«o^j/«z'a.  Some 
derive  the  word  from  Gr.  <^oe,  glue,  from  its  viscous  juice. 
According  to  others,  it  was  so  called  because  its  flower  when 
open  resembles  the  wheel  of  Ixion. 


J. 


JACK.  A  general  term  of  contempt  for  any  saucy  or 
paltry  fellow ;  from  Jack,  nickname  for  John. An  instru- 
ment that  supplies  the  place  of  a  boy ;  an  instrument  to  pull 

off   boots. An    engine  to    turn    a    spit ;     as    a    kitchen 

jack,  a  smoke  jack,  a  bottle  jack. A  young   pike. 

A   pitcher  of   waxed  leather, A  small  bowl  thrown   out 

for   a  mark  to  the  bowlers. Part  of  a  musical  instrument 

called  a  virginal. The  male  of  certain  animals,  as  of  the 

ass. A  horse  or  wooden  frame  on  which  wood  or  timber 

is  sawn. In  archaeology,  a  kind  of  defensive  coat-armour 

formerly  worn    by    horsemen. In    sea   language,  a   flag, 

ensign,  or  colours,  displayed  from  a  staff"  on  the  end  of  a  bow- 
sprit.  A  quarter  of  a  pint;   in  Yorkshire  half-a-pint. 

In  mechanics,  a  machine   for    raising   heavy  weights. In 

botany,  a  species  of  the  bread-fruit  tree. A  term  often 


VEKBA    NOMINALIA.  1 -'9 

applied  to   seafaring    men. A    large   wooden   male   screw 

turning  in  a  female  one. 

JACK  KETCH.  In  England,  a  public  executioner  or 
hangman,  a  most  useful  officer.  Macaulay  (Flist.  Eng.  vol.  I. 
627),  describing  the  execution  of  the  Duke  of  Monmouth  on 
Tower  Hill,  July  15,  1685,  says,  "Monmouth  mounted  the 
scaffold,  then  accosted  John  Ketch,  the  executioner,  a  wretch 
who  had  butchered  many  brave  and  noble  victims,  and  whose 
name  has,  during  a  century  and  a  half,  been  vulgarly  given  to 
all  who  have  succeeded  him  in  his  odious  office.  'Here,'  said 
the  duke,  '  are  six  guineas  for  you.  Do  not  hack  me  as  you 
did  my  Lord  Russell.  I  have  heard  that  you  struck  him  three 
or  four  times  :  my  servant  will  give  you  some  more  gold  if 
you  do  the  work  well.'  He  then  undressed,  felt  the  edge  of 
the  axe,  expressed  some  fear  that  it  was  not  sharp  enough, 
and  laid  his  head  on  the  block.  The  hangman  addressed  him- 
self to  his  office,  but  he  had  been  disconcerted  by  what  the 
duke  had  said.  The  first  blow  only  made  a  slight  wound. 
The  duke  struggled,  rose  from  the  block,  and  looked  reproach- 
fully at  the  executioner.  The  head  sank  once  more,  the  stroke 
was  repeated  again  and  again,  but  still  the  neck  was  not 
severed,  and  the  body  continued  to  move.  Yells  of  rage  and 
horror  rose  from  the  crowd.  Ketch  flung  down  the  axe  with  a 
curse  :  '  I  cannot  do  it,'  he  said,  '  my  heart  fails  me.'  '  Take 
up  the  axe,  man,'  said  the  sheriff,  'Fling  him  over  the  rails,' 
roared  the  mob.  At  last  the  axe  was  taken  up.  Two  more 
blows  extinguished  the  last  remains  of  life,  but  a  knife  was 
used  to  separate  the  head  from  the  shoulders.  In  the  year 
which  followed  Monmouth's  execution  Ketch  was  turned  out 
of  his  office  for  insulting  one  of  the  sheriffs,  and  was  succeeded 
by  a  butcher  named  Rose  ;  but  in  four  months  Rose  himself 
was  hanged  at  Tyburn,  and  Ketch  was  reinstated." 

JACKET  (Fr.  Jaquette,  Bas.  jacaya,  O.  Sp.  xaqueta,  now 
jaquefxi,  a  jacket,  a  short  loose  coat;  xaco,  now  jdco,  a  short 
jacket;  xaquetilla,  now  jacquetilla,  a  small  jacket).  The 
garment  so  named,  said  to  be  of  German  origin.  The  word 
is  probably  a  diminutive  of  the  name  Jacques,  or,  as  some  say, 
of  Jack.     Froissart  says  Henry,   duke  of  Lancaster,    on  his 

K 


130  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

retm'n  to  England,  entered  London  in  a  "  courte  Jacques  of 
cloth  of  gold,  a,  la  faclioa  d'Almayne  "  (see  Planche).  Mr. 
Boys  thinks  jacket  is  "  Little  John,"  or  "  Little  Jacky,"  the 
term  being  transferred  from  the  wearer  to  his  coat ;  and  he 
instances  the  Portuguese  josezinlio,  i.e.  Little  Joseph  or  Little 
Joey,  which  is  often  used  for  the  dress  of  the  schoolboy. 

JACOB.     A  ladder  ;  from  Jacob's  dream. — Grose. 

JACOBiEA.  St.  James's  wort ;  ragwort ;  "  so  named 
because  it  was  dedicated  to  St.  James,  or  because  it  was 
directed  to  be  gathered  about  the  feast  of  that  saint." — 
Forsyth. 

JACOBINISM.  Unreasonable  or  violent  opposition  to 
legitimate  government ;  an  attempt  to  overthrow  or  change 
government  by  secret  cabals  or  irregular  means ;  popular 
turbulence  ;  the  principles  of  the  Jacobins,  a  society  of  violent 
revolutionists,  who,  during  the  French  Revolution  of  1789, 
held  secret  meetings,  in  which  measures  were  concerted  to 
direct  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Assembly,  and  who  had 
their  name  from  the  place  of  meeting,  the  monastery  of  the 
Jacobiue  monks. 

JACOBITISM.  The  principles  of  the  partisans  or  adhe- 
rents of  James  II.  of  England  after  he  abdicated  the"  throne, 
and  of  his  descendants  of  course ;  opposers  of  the  Revolution 
in  1688  in  favour  of  William  and  Mary.  From  Jacohus, 
James, 

JACOB'S  LADDER.  In  naval  affairs,  a  rope  ladder  with 
wooden  steps  or  spokes  for  going  aloft ;  so  named  from  Jacob's 
ladder  (G-en.  xxviii.  12). A  plant  of  the  genus  Smilax. 

JACOB'S  MEMBRANE.  The  thin  external  membrane 
of  the  retina,  considered  by  Dr.  Jacob  to  be  a  serous  mem- 
brane. 

JACOB  SON'S  NERVE.  Another  name  for  the  tympanic 
branch,  described  by  Jacobson. 

JACOB'S  STAFF.     An  instrument  (called  also  cross-staff 
and  bore-staff)  formerly  used  for  taking  the  meridian  altitude 
of  the  sun  or  stars ;  said  to  be  so  named  because  the  divisions 
marked  upon   it  resembled  the   steps  of  Jacob's  ladder  (Gen. 
xxviii.  12).     "On  I'appelait,   dit-on,  baton  de  Jacob,  parceque 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  1.31 

les  divisions  marquees  sur  le  nioutaut  ressemblaieut  aux  degres 
de  rechellc  mysterieuse  de  Jacob  (See  Encyc.  Cathol. "  Baton  "). 

A  i^ilgrim's  staiF,  concealing  a  dagger,  formerly  used  by 

pilgrims  in  Spain. 

JACOBUS.  Gold  coins  of  the  value  of  20s.,  23s.,  and 
25s.,  struck  in  the  reign  of  James  I. 

JACONET.  A  light  soft  muslin,  of  an  open  texture,  used 
for  dresses,  necklocks,  &c.;  probably  from  the  name  of  the  first 
manufacturer.  Jaconet,  a  double  diminutive  of  Jacques. 

JACQUARD.  An  appendage  to  a  loom,  consisting  of  a 
set  of  perforated  cards  and  droppers  for  weaving  figured  goods, 
both  silk  and  cotton ;  named  from  the  inventor,  Jacquard,  who 
was  born  at  Leyden  7th  July,  1752,  and  who  caused  so  great 
a  revolution  in  the  industry  of  weaving.  The  term  has  also 
been  applied  to  carpets. 

JAQUEMONTIA.  A  genus  of  South  American  plants, 
herbs  or  sub-shrubs;  named  in  honour  of  Victor  Jacque- 
mout. 

JACQUERIE.  In  French  history,  the  name  given  to  the 
revolt  of  the  French  peasantry  against  the  nobility  in  1356  ;  so 
called  from  their  leader  Jacques,  or  Jacques  Bonhomme.  Roque- 
fort gives  '■'Jacquerie,  revolte  qui  eut  lieu  en  1356;  elle  fut  ainsi 
nommee  de  son  chef,  qui  s'appeloit  Jacques;  (\!o\\Jacquiers,  les 
seditieux  qui  participerent  a  cette  revolte ;  en  bas  Bret,  jacqiier, 
persecuteur ;  Jaquerie,  Jaques ;  soldats,  faction  de  seditieux  et 
de  voleurs.  Ce  nom  fut  donne  a  une  troupe  de  paysans  qui  se 
revolterent  en  1318  (suivant  Borel)  centre  leur  seigneurs,  a 
cause  des  exactions  qu'ils  exerQoient  contr'eux.  Comme  le 
Roi  Jean,  qui  regnoit  alors,  etoit  prisonnier  en  Angleterre  (ce 
qui  n'est  arrive  qu'en  1356),  les  seigneurs,  par  derision,  ap- 
pelerent  cette  sedition  la  Jaquerie,  du  nom  de  leur  chef  Jaques 
Bonhomme,  et  les  factieux  Jacquiers  :  elle  commenga  dans  le 
Beauvoisis.  Froissart  parle  de  cette  sedition."  The  Encyc. 
des  Gens  du  Monde  says,  "  Jacquerie :  en  France,  vers  le 
milieu  du  XIV^  siecle,  les  nobles  appelaient  par  derision  le 
peuple  Jacques  Bonhomme,  et  quand  leur  exces  eurent  fait 
soulever  ce  dernier,  la  sedition  populaire  s'appela  Jacquerie. 
La  Jacquerie  appartient  an  regne  du  Roi  Jean,  I'uu  des  plus 

K  2 


132  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

malheureux  que  I'histoire  nous  ait  fait  counaitre ;  guerre 
etrangere,  guerre  civile,  peste,  famine,  tout  sembla  se  reunir 
alors  pour  livrer  la  France  a  la  plus  horrible  misere." 

JACQUINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  species  of  which 
are  shrubs,  natives  of  South  America  and  other  warm  climates  ; 
named  by  Linngeus  in  honour  of  the  celebrated  Nicholas 
Joseph  Von  Jacquin,  professor  of  botany  at  Vienna,  born 
at  Ley  den  in  1727,  who  published  a  history  of  American 
plants,  &c. 

JALAP  (Sp.  and  Port,  jaldpa,  Fr.  jalaj)).  The  root  of  a 
plant  having  little  or  no  taste  or  smell,  much  used  in  powder  as 
a  cathartic  ;  from  Xalapa  or  Jalapa,  in  Mexico,  whence  it  is 
imported. 

JALAPIN.  A  vegetable  proximate  principle  of  the  offi- 
cinal jalap. 

JAMACINA  or  JAMAICIN.  An  alkaloid  obtained  from 
the  Andira  inermis,  or  cabbage  bark  tree,  of  the  West  Indies  ; 
named  from  Jamaica. 

JAMESONITE.  A  steel-grey  ore  of  antimony  and  lead; 
named  after  Professor  Jameson. 

JANSENISM.  The  doctrine  of  Cornelius  Jansen,  a 
Roman  Catholic  bishop  of  Ypres,  in  Flanders,  who  was  as- 
serted to  have  denied  free  will,  and  to  have  held  to  irresistible 
grace  and  atonement,  in  his  book  called  Augustinus. — S.  F. 
Cresswell. 

JANUARY  (L.  Januarius).  The  first  month  of  the  year 
according  to  the  present  computation.  At  the  foundation  of 
Rome  March  was  considered  the  first  month.  January  and 
February  were  introduced  by  Numa  Pompilius  (Encyc).  The 
Latin  word  is  said  to  be  derived  from  the  Roman  god  Janus 
(Dor.  Zav,  ZoivoQ,  Jupiter),  to  whom  this  month  was  supposed 
to  be  sacred.  He  had  tAvo  faces,  and  the  doors  of  his  temple 
were  shut  in  time  of  peace,  and  open  in  time  of  war.  Hall 
says  January  was  so  called  from  being  the  gate  or  opening 
(^janua)  of  the  year. 

JAPAN.  Work  varnished  and  figured  in  the  manner  prac- 
tised by  the  Japanese.  Hence,  to  cover  with  a  thick  coat  of 
iiard   brilliant   varnish,   an   art   derived   from   the    Japanese ; 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  133 

hence,  to  black  and  gloss,  as  in  blacking  shoes  or  boots, 

To  ordain  (JJniversitij'). 

JAPHETIC.  A  term  formerly  applied  to  the  nations  in- 
habiting the  north  of  Asia  and  all  Europe,  and  to  the  lan- 
guages spoken  by  them ;  so  called  from  Japhet,  eldest  son  of 
Noah, 

JASEY,  A  contemptuous  name  for  a  wig,  and  even  for  a 
head  of  bushy  hair  ;  as  if  composed  of  Jersey  yarn,  of  which 
jazy  is  a  corrupt  pronunciation. — Forhy. 

JEAN.  A  twilled  cotton,  usually  striped,  used  for  stays, 
&c. ;  probably  from  the  first  maker,  Jean  (John).  Satin  jean 
is  woven  smooth  and  glossy,  after  the  manner  of  satin. 

JEFFERSONIA.  A  genus  of  North  American  herba- 
ceous plants ;  named  in  honour  of  Jefferson,  president  of  the- 
United  States. 

JEFFERSONITE.  A  variety  of  augite,  colour  dark 
olive  green,  passing  into  brown;  found  embedded  in  franklinite 
and  garnet,  in  New  Jersey,  North  America ;  named  in  honour 
of  Jefierson,  president  of  the  United  States. 

JEHU.  A  name  for  a  coachman  ;  said  to  be  so  called  from- 
Jehu,  son  of  Nimshi,  who  rode  in  a  chariot.  "  And  the  driving 
is  like  the  driving  of  Jehu,  the  son  of  Nimshi,  for  he  driveth 
furiously."  2  Kings,  ix.  20. — S'.  F.  Cresu-ell. 

JEMMY.  In  thieves'  language,  a  short  and  stout  crowbar 
for  opening  doors  ;  from  the  nickname  for  James. 

JENNETING,  JUNEATING,  JUNETING,  or  GINET- 
TING.  A  species  of  early  apple;  "  said  to  be  corrupted  from 
juneating,  an  apple  ripe  in  June,  or  at  St.  Jean,  the  name  of  a 
place  in  France. —  Webster. 

JENNY.  A  machine  for  spinning,  moved  by  water  or 
steam,  and  used  in  manufactories,  "  It  was  originally  in- 
vented by  Hai'greaves  in  1767,  but  ultimately  improved  by 
Richard  Arkwright,  a  barber,  but  who  afterwards  became  an 
eminent  manufacturer,  ultimately  Sir  Richard  Arkwright,  Bart, 
The  term  jenny  was  derived  from  his  wife,  whose  name  was 
Jane,  but  whom  he  used  to  address  by  the  familiar  name  of 
Jenny ;  thinking,  no  doubt,  that,  as  the  latter  had  been  very 
prolific,  his  new  invention  would  be  equally  so  under  a  simi- 


134  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

lar  ai^pellation.  The  result  justified  such  a  conclusion." — 
PuUei/n. 

JEREMIADE.  Lamentation;  a  tale  of  grief,  sorrow,  or 
complaint ;  from  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah,  the  prophet, 
over  Jerusalem. 

JERKIN.  A  jacket ;  a  short  coat ;  a  close  waistcoat. 
Bailey  derives  the  word  from  A.  S.  cyrtelhin,  diminutive  of 
cyrtel,  a  coat.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Boys  thinks  jerkin  may  be  a 
diminutive  of  Jerry,  i.e.  Little  Jerry,  and  he  instances  the 
dress  of  the  schoolboy  in  Portugal,  often  called  josezinlio,  i.e. 
Little  Joseph  or  Little  Joey,  the  term  being  facetiously  trans- 
ferred from  the  wearer  to  his  coat." 

JERSEY.     A  fine  yarn  of  wool;  named  from  the  island  so 

called. A    woollen   over-jacket    all    in   a    piece,   used   in 

rowing,  &c. 

JESSE.  A  branch,  or  large  candlestick  of  brass  branched 
into  several  sconces,  hanging  down  in  the  middle  of  a  church 
or  choir,  in  order  to  spread  the  light  to  all  parts ;  so  called  as 
resembling  the  branch  or  genealogical  tree  of  Jesse  (arbor 
Jessce ;  stirps  Jessce),  of  w-hich  a  picture  was  formerly  hung 
up  in  churches.  It  was  first  brought  over  into  England  by 
Hugh  de  Flory,  abbot  of  St.  Austin's  in  Canterbury,  about 
1100,  as  thus  recorded  by  the  historian  of  the  abbey  : — "  Pul- 
pitum  etiam  in  ecclesia  fecit,  candelabrum  etiam  magnum  in 
choro  aireum,  quod  Jesse  vocatur,  in  partibus  emit  transma- 
rinis."     Chron.  Will.  Thorn.,  p.  1796  ;  and  Cowel,  Interpreter. 

JESUITIC,  JESUITICAL.  Designing;  cunning;  de- 
ceitful ;  prevaricating ;  lit.  pertaining  to  the  Jesuits  or  their 
principles  and  arts.  The  Jesuits  were  members  of  the  Society 
of  Jesus,  founded  by  Ignatius  Loyola  in  1534,  a  society  re- 
markable for  their  cunning  in  propagating  their  principles. 

JET  {D.git,  Fi-.jayet,  L.  gagates).  A  mineral,  of  a  velvet- 
black  colour,  found  in  unconnected  heaps ;  wrought  into  toys, 
buttons,  mourning  jewels,  &c.  ;  the  same  word  as  agate,  q.v. 

JEW.  A  cheat;  to  cheat ;  overreaching  being  by  all  na- 
tions supposed  to  be  the  peculiar  function  of  a  Jew. — S.  F. 
Creswell. 

JEWISHNESS.     The  rights  of  the  Jews.— 3Iartm. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  135 

JEW'S  EAR.  Popular  name  of  a  species  of  fungus 
bearing  some  resemblance  to  the  human  ear. 

JEZEBEL.  Formerly  employed  to  denote  a  forward  im- 
pertinent woman,  and  perhaps  not  yet  wholly  disused  (^John- 
son) ;  an  impertinent,  daring,  vicious  woman  (Spectator)  ;  so 
called  from  Jezebel,  who  displayed  her  pernicious  charms  at 
her  window  {Ibid).  Jezebel  (whose  name,  by  the  bye,  in 
Hebrew  signifies  chaste)  was  such  an  impious  woman  that  she 
is  regarded  in  the  Scriptures  as  the  symbol  of  fornication  and 
wickedness.  After  Jehu  had  slain  her  son  Jehoram  he  came 
to  Jezreel,  and  "Jezebel  heard  of  it;  and  she  painted  her  face 
and  tired  her  head,  and  looked  out  at  a  window  "  (2  Kings, 
ix.  30). 

JINGO.  "  By  Jingo."  A  common  form  of  oath,  said  to  be 
a  corruption  of  St.  Gingoulph.      See  Halliwell. 

JOBATION.  A  scolding;  a  long  tedious  reproof  (Grose)  ; 
a  lecture,  reprimand;  from  Job,  his  friends  having  remon- 
strated much  with  him.  "  Probably  corrupted  from  jaivbat/on, 
a  jawing"  (*S'.  F.   Cresivell). 

JOB'S  TEARS.  A  grass-like  plant  of  the  genus  Coix, 
with  shining  pearly  fruit,  resembling  fixlling  tears. 

JOCKEY.  A  man  who  rides  horses  in  a  race ;  primarily 
a  boy  that  rides  horses ;  from  Jaclce;/,  a  diminutive  of  Jack. 

A  dealer  in  horses;  one  Avho  makes  it  his  business  to  buy 

and  sell  horses   for  gain. A  cheat;  one  who   deceives  or 

takes  undue  advantage  in  trade. To  cheat ;    to  trick  ;  to 

deceive  in  trade. — ■ — To  jostle  by  riding  against  one. 

JOE.  A  too  marvellous  tale,  a  lie,  a  stale  joke  ;  from  Joe 
Miller.  The  full  name  is  occasionally  used,  as  in  the  phrase, 
"  I  don't  see  the  Joe  Miller  of  it,"  i.e.  I  don't  perceive  ihe  wit 
you  intend. — J.   C.  Hotten. 

JOE  or  JOEY.  A  fourpenny  piece,  a  supply  of  which  was 
kept  by  the  late  Joseph  Hume  for  paying  cabmen  {S.  F.  Cres- 
well).  "  These  pieces  are  said  to  have  owed  their  existence 
to  the  pressing  instance  of  Mr.  Hume,  from  whence  they  for 
some  time  bore  the  nickname  of  Joeys.  As  they  were  very 
convenient  to  pay  short  cab  fares,  the  Hon.  M.P.  was  extremely 
unpopular   with  the  drivers,  who  frequently  received  only  "  a 


136  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

groat "  where  otherwise  they  would  have  received  a  sixpence 
without  any  demand  for  change"  (Hawkins's  Hist.  Silver 
Coinage  of  England). 

JOHANNES.  A  Portuguese  coin  equal  to  8  dollars;  often 
contracted  into  joe;  as  a  joe,  half-joe;  named  from  the  figure 
of  King  John,  which  it  bears. 

JOHANNITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  sulphate  of  cop- 
per, sulphate  of  oxide  of  uranium,  and  Avater,  in  unknown 
proportions ;  found  in  crystals  and  reuiform  masses  at  Joa- 
chimsthal  and  Jo/ia/i/i-Georgenstadt,  in  Bohemia. 

JOHANNISBERG.  The  most  famous  of  the  Rhenish 
wines  ;  named  from  the  Chateau  of  Johannisberg,  the  property 
of  Prince  Metternich,  near  Riidesheim,  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Rhine,  situated  in  the  midst  of  the  vineyards  themselves. 
The  first  owners  of  the  vineyard  were  the  monks,  it  having 
been  originally  attached  to  the  abbey  and  convent  of  St.  John, 
afterwards  secularized.  The  best  grapes  grow  close  under  the 
castle,  and,  indeed,  partly  over  the  cellars.  So  precious  are 
they  that  those  which  fall  are  picked  off  the  ground  with  a 
kind  of  fork  made  for  the  purpose. 

JOHN.  A  pear  used  in  Worcestershire  for  making  perry  ; 
probably  named  from  the  gardener. 

JOHN  APPLE  [Deux  Ans).  An  apple  good  for  spring 
use,  when  other  fruit  is  spent ;  perhaps  named  from  tlie 
gardener.  It  is  probably  the  same  with  the  Apple  John  men- 
tioned by  Shakspeare. 

JOHN  BULL.  The  well-known  collective  name  of  the 
English  nation,  first  used  in  Arbuthnot's  satire,  the  History  of 
John  Bull,  usually  published  in  Swift's  works. 

JOHNSONISM.  A  peculiar  word  or  manner  of  Dr. 
Johnson  ;  the  literary  style  introduced  by  him. 

JONATHAN.  The  origin  of  this  term,  as  applied  to  the 
United  States,  is  as  follows  : — "  When  General  Washington, 
after  being  appointed  commander  of  the  army  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  went  to  Massachusetts  to  organize  it,  he  found  a 
great  want  of  ammunition  and  other  means  for  its  defence,  and 
on  one  occasion  it  seemed  that  no  means  could  be  devised  for 
ihe  necessary  supply.     Jonathan  Trumbull  the  €lder  was  then 


VERBA    NOMIXAfJA.  137 

governor  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  uud  the  general,  placing 
the  greatest  reliance  on  his  excellency 's  j  udgment,  remarked, '  We 
must  consult  Brother  Jonathan  on  the  subject.'  The  general 
did  so,  and  the  governor  was  successful  in  supplying  many  of 
the  wants  of  the  army  ;  and  thenceforth,  when  difficulties  arose, 
and  the  army  was  spread  over  the  country,  it  became  a  bye- 
phrase,  '  We  must  consult  Brother  Jonathan,'  and  the  name 
has  now  become  a  designation  for  the  whole  country,  as  'John 
Bull '  has  for  F.ngla.mV'—Bartlett. 

JONCQUETIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species, 
native  of  Guiana,  where  it  is  called  Tapirhn ;  named  in 
memory  of  Denis  Joncquet,  who  published  a  catalogue  of  his 
own  garden,  entitled  Hortus,  sen  Index  Plantarum,  quas 
colebat  a  1658  &  1659. 

JONESIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants,  trees,  whose 
species  are  few,  and  indigenous  to  the  islands  of  the  Malayan 
Archipelago ;  named  in  honour  of  Sir  Wm.  Jones,  the  cele- 
brated scholar;  born  1743,  died  at  Calcutta  1794. 

JOSEPH.  A  woman's  riding  dress,  formerly  much  in  use 
(Grose).     See  Jacket. 

JOSEPHINIA.  A  genus  of  Australian  herbaceous  plants  ; 
named  by  Ventetat  in  honour  of  his  munificent  patroness,  the 
Empress  Josephine. 

JOSEPHISM.  The  Emperor  Maximilian  belonged  to  a 
family  which,  although  it  boasts  of  its  orthodoxy,  has  given  a 
name  to  the  heresy  which  under  the  name  of  Josephism  is 
more  distasteful  than  Jansenism  or  Protestantism  to  the  Court 
of  Rome. — Sat.  Rev.  16th  July,  1864. 

JOSSINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees  and  shrubs,  indige- 
nous to  the  Mauritius  ;  named  after  Jossiu. 

JOVE.       The    planet   Jupiter ;    from    Jove,    the    supreme 

deity   among  the  Romans. The  air  or  atmosphere,  or  the 

god  of  the  air. In  alchemy,  a  name  for  tin. 

JOVELLANA.  A  genus  of  South  American  plants,  or. 
Angiospermia ;  named  in  honour  of  Don  Gaspar  Melchior 
de  Jovellanos,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  Spaniards  of 
modern  times. 

JOVIAL.    Gay,  merry,  airy,  joyous,  jolly,  as  a  jovial  youth, 


138  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

a  jovial  throng  ;  from  L.  jovialis,  lit.  belonging  to  Jupiter  ;  or, 
as  others  say,  "  Merry  as  Jove ;"  or  q.d.  one  born  Jove  la'to, 
under  the  influence  of  the  planet  Jove  or  Jupiter.     See  Jove. 

JUDAIC,  JUDAICAL.  Pertaining  to  the  Jews;  from 
Judah. 

JUDAISM.     The  religious  doctrines  and  rites  of  the  Jews, 

as  enjoined  in  the  laws  of  Moses  ;  from  Judah. Conformity 

to  the  Jewish  rites  and  ceremonies. 

JUDAIZE.  To  conform  to  the  religious  doctrines  and 
rites  of  the  Jews. 

JUDAS.  A  deceitful  person ;  so  named  from  Judas  Is- 
cariot.     Judas-haired  :  red  haired,  deceitful. 

JUDAS-TREE.  A  leguminous  lowering  tree,  of  the 
genus  Cercis,  common  in  the  East,  on  one  of  which  Judas  is 
said  to  have  hung  himself. 

JUGLANS.  A  genus  of  plants  of  eight  species,  one  of  which 
is  the  common  walnut-tree ;  from  Jovis  glans,  the  nut  or  acorn 
of  Jupiter,  to  whom  the  oak  was  sacred.  "  Quasi  Jovis  glans, 
the  royal  fruit,  from  its  magnitude." — Forsyth. 

JULIAN.  In  chi'onology,  the  designation  of  a  period  of 
7980  years,  a  number  produced  by  multiplying  28,  the  years 
of  the  solar  cycle,  by  19,  the  years  of  the  lunar  cycle,  and 
their  product  by  1  5,  the  years  of  the  Roman  indiction  ;  named 

in  honour   of  Julius    Scaliger,  who  invented   it. The  old 

account  of  the  year,  as  regulated  by  Julius  Ctesar,  which  con- 
tinued to  be  used   in  England  till  1752,  when  the  Gregorian 

year,  or  new  style,  was  adopted. Among  the  Romans,  a  law 

which  made  adultery  punishable  by  death ;  also  a  law  made  by 
Julius  C^sar  to  regulate  the  office  and  duties  of  a  judge.  Cf. 
Aulus  Gellius,  Attic  Nights,  c.  ii. ;  Heineccius,  p.  646 ;  and 
Gibbon.— — In  cookery,  a  pottage  made  of  a  leg  of  mutton 
roasted,  and  put  into  a  pot  with  beef,  a  fillet  of  veal,  &c. 

JULIENNE  {soupe  a  la  Julieime).  A  soup  made  of  several 
sorts  of  herbs  and  vegetables  ;  perhaps  named  after  a  French 
cook. The  name  of  a  French  plant. 

JULY  (L.  Julius).  The  seventh  month  of  the  year.  It  was 
at  first  called  by  the  Romans  Quintiiis,  or  the  fifth  month,  ac- 
cording  to  the   old  calendar,   in  which   March  was   the  first 


VERBA    NOMINALIA  139 

month  of  the  year.  The  name  was  afterwards  changed  to 
Julius,  in  honour  of  Julius  Cajsar,  who  was  born  in  this  month. 
JUNE  (L.  Junius,  Junius  mensis).  The  sixth  month  of  the 
year ;  from  the  surname  of  a  Roman  family,  the  most  noted  of 
whom  was  L.  Junius  Brutus,  who  abolished  regal  power  at 
Rome. 

JUNGERMANNIA.  A  genus  of  cryptogamic  plants ; 
named  after  Louis  Jungermann,  a  German  botanist,  who  died 
in  1653. 

JUNO.  A  small  telescopic  planet,  which  revolves  round 
the  sun  between  the  orbits  of  Mars  and  Jupiter ;  discovered 
in  1804  by  Harding  of  Bremen  ;  named  after  Juno,  sister 
and  wife  of  Jupiter. 

JURA.  A  term  applied  to  the  limestones  belonging  to  the 
oolitic  group,  and  constituting  the  chief  part  of  the  mountains 
of  the  Jura,  between  France  and  Switzerland. 

JURANQON.     A  white  wine,  perhaps  the  best  in  the  Py- 
renees ;  named  from  the  village  of  Juran^ou,  where  it  grows. 
JURASSIC.     A  system,  with  Continental  writers,  synony- 
mous with  our  oolitic  system  ;  named  from  the  mountains  of 
the  Jura,  q.v. 

JUSSIEUA  or  JUSSIiEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  eleven 
species,  mostly  annuals,  natives  of  Jamaica,  Java,  Japan, 
South  America,  and  India ;  named  by  Linneeus  in  honour  of 
Antoine  de  Jussieu  (uncle  of  the  celebrated  Antoine  Laurent 
de  Jussieu),  demonstrator  of  plants  in  the  royal  garden  at 
Paris,  who  edited  Tournefort's  Institutes  in  1719,  and  de- 
scribed plants  in  the  Paris  Memoirs  for  1709. 

JUSTICIA.  A  genus  of  tropical  plants,  whose  species  are 
very  numerous,  mostly  shrubby  or  herbaceous  annuals  ;  named 
after  James  Justice,  F.R.S. 

JUSTINIAN.  The  appellation  of  a  code  or  general  com- 
pilation of  the  best  and  most  useful  laws  or  constitutions, 
promulgated  by  the  emperors  previous  to  the  reign  of  Justi- 
nian, beginning  from  Hadrian's  perpetual  edict  down  to  his 
own  time;  made  by  order  of  Justinian.  The  code  was  first  pub- 
lished in  April,  a.d.  529,  and  the  revised  code,  under  the  title 
of  Codex  Justinianeus,  repetitte  preelectionis,  in  December,  534. 


140  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 


K. 


KALLABIZE.  To  open  letters  surreptitiously.  "  Tlie 
trial  of  Kallab,  the  post  official,  who  iu  three  years  opened 
and  destroyed  above  60,000  letters,  is  now  going  on  at  Vienna. 
The  fellow  lies  so  impudently  that  he  severely  tries  the 
patience  of  his  judges  and  of  the  public.  T'he  Viennese  have 
formed  a  verb  from  the  man's  name,  and  letters  surreptitiously 
opened  are  said  to  be  hallabizedr — Times,  1  Oct.,  1862,  p.  10. 

KANEITE.  A  miueral,  consisting  of  manganese,  arsenic, 
and  a  trace  of  iron;  supposed  to  be  from  Saxony;  so  named 
from  being  first  observed  attached  to  a  mass  of  galena  by  Mr. 
R.  J.  Kane,  of  Dublin. 

KANTISM.  The  doctrines  or  theory  of  Emanuel  Kant, 
the  celebrated  German  metaphysician. 

KAOLIN  (Fr.  terre  a  porcelaine ;  G.  porzellanerde).  The 
name  given  by  the  Chinese  to  fine  white  clay  with  which  they 
fabricate  the  biscuit  of  their  porcelains.  "  A  variety  of  clay 
used  for  making  porcelain,  jjroceeding  from  the  decomposition 
of  the  mineral  feldspar;  it  is  also  called  petunse "  {Dana). 
In  Chinese  the  word  is  written  kaou-ling  {kaou  lin),  and  was 
so  called  from  a  hill  on  the  east  side  of  the  village  of  King- 
tih-chin,  where  it  is  found.  The  earth  of  this  hill  (says 
Morrison),  when  first  taken  to  form  the  tun  (or  petuntsze), 
belonged  to  four  people,  whose  names  were  Wang,  Ho,  Fung, 
Fang,  and  these  names  are  still  stamped  on  the  kaouling  clods. 
From  the  Kaouling  Hill  there  were  superior,  middling,  and 
inferior  earths  taken.  The  best  sort  was  known  by  breaking 
and  examining  the  porcelain,  i.e.  if  the  breaking  was  smooth 
and  even,  and  without  veins  or  granular  coarseness ;  but  if  it 
appeared  as  cut  with  a  knife,  the  porcelain  was  of  a  weak 
brittle  nature.  Speaking  of  j)etmitze  (var.  petuntse,  petunse'), 
Morrison  says  the  tun  or  stone  is  divided  into  red,  yellow,  and 
white  tun  (^petuntsze)  ;  the  red  and  white  tun  are  used  for  the 
fine  wares ;  the  yellow  only  for  tlie  coarse  wares.  Morrison 
does  not,  however,  render  tun,  stone  ;  it  is  therefore  possible 
t\i&t  petuntsze,  i.e.  white  tuntsze  {^pili  tuntsze),  may  have  been  so 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  141 

called  as  coming  from  Tuntsze,  the  name  of  a  place  on  the 
Grand  Canal.  I  note,  however,  that  pih  tung  signifies  white 
copper  {tung,  copper  or  brass).  "  Kaolin  is  found  in  Devon 
and  Cornwall "  {S.  F.  Cresivell). 

KEITIIIA.  A  genus  of  labiate  plants ;  named  in  honour 
of  the  Rev.  Patrick  Keith. 

KENDAL-G-REEN.  A  species  of  green  cloth  formerly 
made  at  Kendal  or  Kirby-Kendal,  county  Westmoreland. 

KENNEDY.  A  poker  ;  also  to  strike  or  kill  with  a  poker  ; 
a  St.  Giles's  term,  so  given  from  a  man  of  the  name  being  killed 
with  a  poker ;  frequently  shortened  to  neddy. — J.  C.  H. 

KEPLER'S  LAWS.  In  astronomy,  laws  established  by 
Johann  Kepler,  who  was  born  in  1571  near  Weil,  in  Wiirtem- 
burg ;  called  to  the  chair  of  astronomy  at  Gratz  in  1593,  and 
died  in  1630.  These  laws  are  three:  1.  That  every  planet 
moves  so  that  the  line  drawn  from  it  to  the  sun  describes 
about  the  sun  areas  proportional  to  the  times.  2.  That  the 
planets  all  move  in  elliptic  orbits,  of  which  the  sun  occupies 
one  of  the  foci.  3.  That  the  squares  of  the  times  of  the 
revolutions  of  the  planets  are  as  the  cubes  of  their  mean 
distances  from  the  sun. 

KERSEY  (D.  kerzaai;  0.  D.  and  Teut.  karsaye,  kersei/e ; 
Sp.  carisea ;  Fr.  cariset,  carisee,  carize).  A  species  of  coarse 
woollen  cloth ;  a  coarse  stuif  made  chiefly  in  Kent  and  Devon- 
shire. Kerseymere,  more  commonly  cassimere  (found  cassimer 
and  casimer,  Sp.  casimero),  is  a  twilled  cotton  cloth.  Accord- 
ing to  some,  kersey  is  a  corruption  of  "  coarse  say"  (say,  a  kind 
of  serge  used  for  linings,  &c. ;  Fr.  sayette,  a  sort  of  woollen 
stuff  made  at  Amiens).  If  so,  kerseymere  would  seem  to  be 
compounded  of  kersey  and  mere,  which  anciently  signified  "  en- 
tire ;"  or  of  Fr.  mh'e,  "  principal,  first,"  whence  mere-laine, 
"  choice  wool."  Skinner  queries  kersey  as  being  derived  from 
Cesarea,  or  Jersey.  The  Encyc.  Metrop.  says,  "  Kersey  is 
either  coarse  and  say  (a  stuff"),  or  from  the  island  of  Jersey 
(Gersey),  formerly,  perhaps,  famous  for  this  kind  of  cloth  ; 
kerseymere  is  a  thin  stuff,  generally  woven  plain  from  the 
finest  wools,  and  in  England  manufactured  chiefly  in  the 
Western  districts ;  but  that  kersey,  on  the  other  hand,  is  a  very 


142  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

coarse  stuff,  usually  ribbed  and  woven  from  long  wool,  and  the 
principal  manufactures  of  it  are  in  the  North  of  England.  It 
is  plain  that  these  two  words  signifying  such  distinct  things 
cannot  have  a  common  origin ;  whatever  may  be  the  source  of 
kersey,  kerseymere  is  probably  a  corruption  of  Cashmir,  a  country 
in  which  the  finest  wool  is  produced,  and  which  consequently 
is  most  celebrated  for  the  works  of  its  looms." 

KERSEYMERE.     See  IvERSEr. 

KEVENHULLER.  A  large  triangular  cocked  hat  worn  in 
England  about  the  end  of  the  reign  of  George  II.,  imported 
from  Germany  (See  Planche's  Hist,  Brit.  Cost.);  probably 
named  after  the  ancient  and  illustrious  German  family  of 
Kevenhuller. 

KIDDERMINSTER.  An  ingrain  carpeting,  named  from 
Kidderminster,  in  Worcestershire,  where  it  was  originally 
made.  The  largest  quantity  is  now  manufactured  in  Scot- 
land. 

KIEFEKIL  or  KEFFEKIL.  A  species  of  clay  used 
chiefly  in  forming  the  bowls  of  tobacco  pipes ;  and  by  the 
Tatars  in  place  of  soap.  According]  to  some,  it  is  another 
name  for  meerschaum,  and  signifies  "  earth  of  Kaffa "  (Turc. 
K"  ghll,  clay)  ;  but  qu.  from  Kaffa,  a  country  of  Eastern 
Africa,  south  of  Abyssinia;  or  from  Kaffa  (Theodosia),  a  town 
of  Russia  on  the  south-east  coast  of  the  Crimea ;  or  Kaiffa,  a 
seaport  of  Palestine,  This  clay  is  also  found  in  Canada,  in 
Flanders,  and  in  other  places, 

KILLINEY.  A  mineral  resembling  spodumene,  discovered 
in  granite  veins  at  Killiney,  near  Dublin. 

KILLINGIA  or  KYLLINGIA,  A  genus  of  plants  of 
seven  species,  natives  of  the  East  and  West  Indies,  Japan,  the 
Society  Isles,  and  the  Levant ;  named  by  Rottboll  in  memory 
of  Petrus  Kylling,  a  Dane,  who  in  1688  published  a  botanical 
work  entitled  Viridarium  Danicum, 

KIMMERIDGE.  A  thick  bed  of  clay,  constituting  a 
member  of  the  oolitic  group,  occurring  well  develo23ed  at 
Kimmeridge,  in  the  isle  of  Purbeck,  Dorsetshire. 

KIN  ATE  (D.  kina).  A  salt  formed  by  the  union  of  kinic 
acid  with  a  base.     See  Kinic  Acid  and  Cinchona. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  143 

KINIC  ACID.  An  acid  procured  from  the  Cinchona  or 
Peruvian  bark.     See  Cinchona  and  Quinine. 

KIRSCH  or  KIRSCHWASSER.  A  distilled  liquor  ob- 
tained by  fermenting  the  small  black  cherry  ;  from  G.  kirsche, 
a  cherry,  q.v. 

KIRWANITE.  A  mineral,  colour  dark  olive-green  ;  found 
in  cavities  of  basalt  on  the  north-east  coast  of  Ireland ;  named 
in  honour  of  Mr.  Richard  Ivirwan,  an  eminent  mineralogist, 
who  died  in  1812. 

KITAIBELIA.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  Professor  Robert  Kitaibel,  of  Hungary,  one  of  the 
authors  of  Plantar  Rariores  Hungarise. 

KIT-KAT.  A  name  given  to  a  particular  size  or  dimension 
of  portrait-painting,  viz.,  three  feet  by  two  feet  four  inches  of 
canvas ;  so  called  from  a  club  of  gentlemen  in  the  reign  of 
Queen  Anne,  whose  portraits  were  taken  on  canvas  of  that 
dimension.  The  club  held  their  meetings  at  a  house  kept  by 
one  Christopher  Kat  or  Kit  Kat,  and  consisted  of  forty-two 
members,  whose  portraits  were  painted  by  Sir  Godfrey  Kneller 
in  1710.  The  apartment  not  being  sufficiently  large  for  half- 
lengths,  a  shorter  canvas  was  adopted ;    hence  the  technical 

term  Kit-Kat  size. "  A  term  applied  to  a  club  in  London  to 

which  Addison  and  Steele  belonged  ;  so  called  from  Christopher 
Cat,  a  pastrycook,  who  served  the  club  with  mutton  pies ; 
applied  also  to  portraits  a  little  less  than  a  half-length,  because 
such  were  placed  in  the  club-room." — Chalmers. 

KLAPROTHIA.  A  genus  of  plants  or  twining  shrubs ; 
named  iu  honour  of  M.  H.  Klaproth,  distinguished  for  his 
chemical  and  mineralogical  researches,  and  professor  of 
chemistry  at  Berlin ;  born  at  Wernigerode,  Upper  Saxony,  iu 
1743,  died  in  1817. 

KLEINHOVIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species, 
the  K.  hospita,  a  tree,  native  of  Java,  Amboina,  and  the 
Philippine  Islands  ;  named  by  Linnasus  in  honour  of  M.  Ivlein- 
hoff,  formerly  director  of  the  Botanic  Gardens  in  Batavia. 

KLEINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Polygamia  ccqualis ; 
named  iu  honour  of  the  German  zoologist,  James  Theodore  Klein, 
who  flourished  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century. 


144  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

KLUGrlA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiospermia  ;  named  in 
honour  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Klug. 

KNAUTIA.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  two  distinguished  Gei'mau  botanists,  Christopher 
Knaut  the  father,  and  Christian  Knaut  the  son. 

KNEBELITE.  A  mineral  ;  colour  gray,  spotted  dirty- 
white,  red,  brown,  and  green  ;  locality  unknown  ;  named  by 
Dobereiner  after  Major  Von  Knebel. 

KNICKERBOCKERS  or  NICKERBOCKERS.  Long 
loose  breeches,  generally  worn  without  braces,  and  buckled  or 
buttoned  round  the  waist  and  knee  (See  Times,  23  May,  1859, 
p.  12,  c.  3);  of  American  origin,  but  whether  derived  from  a 
proper  name  is  doubtful.  Washington  Irving  published  his 
Sketch  Book  and  his  History  of  New  York  under  the  name  of 
Diedrich  Knickerbocker.  Mr.  J.  A.  Bartlett  renders  the  word 
Knickerbocker,  "  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  old  Dutch  families 
of  New  York  City." 

KNOXIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  two  species,  K.  Zey- 
lanica,  native  of  Ceylon,  and  K.  corymhosa,  native  of  the  East 
Indies ;  named  by  Linnseus  in  honour  of  Robert  Knox,  an 
Englishman,  who  spent  many  years  in  examining  the  natural 
productions  of  Ceylon,  and  who  published  an  historical  rela- 
tion of  that  island  in  1681. 

KOBELLITE.  A  mineral  resembling  grey  antimony,  but 
brighter  in  lustre  ;  from  the  cobalt  mine  of  Hvena,  in  Sweden  ; 
named  after  Von  Kobell. 

KOELPINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  formerly  established  by 
several  eminent  botanists  under  the  name  of  Rhagadiolus,  and 
by  LinnjEUs  under  that  of  Lapsana ;  named  by  Pallas  in  honour 
of  Alexander  Bernard  Koelpin,  professor  of  physic  at  Stettin, 
and  author  of  several  botanical  tracts. 

KQi^NlGlA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  but  one  species,  an 
annual,  native  of  Iceland ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of 
his  friend  and  disciple,  Dr.  John  Gerard  Koenig,  M.D.,  of 
Courland,  who  first  found  the  plant  in  Iceland,  in  1 765,  and 
who  made  several  valuable  botanical  contributions  to  Linnasus 
from  his  observations  in  India. 

KOHAUTIA.  A  genus  of  erect  herbaceous  plants  ;  named 
in  honour  of  Francis  Kohaut. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  145 

KOLREUTERIA.  A  j^euus  of  [jlauts,  uatives  of  China; 
named  in  honour  of  John  Theophihis  Koh-euter,  M.D.,  pro- 
fessor of  natural  history  at  Carlsruhe,  and  author  of  several 
botanical  dissertations. 

KONIGA.  A  genus  of  cruciform  plants  ;  named  in 
honour  of  Charles  Konig,  F.R.S.,  of  the  British  Museum. 

KRAMERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  nat.  or.  Poly- 
galacece ;  natives  of  South  iVmerica ;  named  in  honour  of  the 
German  botanists,  J.  G.  H.  and  W.  H.  Kramer,  father  and  son. 

KREMNITZ.  A  pure  variety  of  white  lead,  from  Krem- 
nitz,  in  Hungary. 

KRUBERA.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  plants  ;  named  in 
honour  of  John  Julius  Kruber. 

,  KUHNIA.  A  genus  of  North  American  plants,  trees ; 
named  by  Linnseus  in  honour  of  his  pupil,  Adam  Kiihn,  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  first  brought  this  plant  to  Europe. 

KUMAON.  A  celebrated  tea  from  Kumaon,  a  province  of 
North  Hindustan,  at  the  foot  of  the  Himalayas. 

KUTCHIN-KUTCHING.  A  child's  amusement  which 
consists  in  jumping  about  with  the  legs  bent  in  a  sitting  pos- 
ture. A  correspondent  of  Notes  and  Queries,  speaking  of  the 
expedition  of  Sir  John  Richardson  to  the  Arctic  shores,  refers 
to  his  picture  of  the  Kutchin-Kutcha  Indians  dancing,  in 
which  the  principal  performer  is  actually  figuring  in  the  midst 
of  the  wild  circle  in  the  way  described ;  and  he  thinks  the 
nursery  term  may  be  something  more  than  a  mere  coincidence. 
SeeN.  &  Q.  1st  S.  ix.  304. 

KYANIZE.  To  prevent  the  rotting  of  wood  by  immersing 
it  in  a  solution  of  corrosive  sublimate  or  other  substances 
(Silliman)  ;  from  Ki/an,  the  inventor  of  the  process  (Webste?'). 


L. 


LABATIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  evergreen  trees,  natives 
of  Guiana  and  Hispaniola ;  named  by  Professor  Schwartz  in 
honour   of  Jean    Baptiste    Labat,    a    Dominican    friar,    who, 

L 


146  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

between  1700  and  1713,  investigated  the  plants  of  Africa  and 
the  West  Indies. 

LABRADORITE.  A  variety  of  opalescent  felspar  from 
Labrador.     It  is  also  called  opaline,  or  Labrador  spar. 

LABYRINTH  (L.  lahyrintlms,  Gr.  KajSvpiv^os).  A  maze, 
an  inexplicable  difficulty ;  so  called  from  the  Egyptian  or 
Cretan  Labyrinths,  places  formed  with  winding  passages,  which 
rendered   it  difficult  to  find  the  way  from  the  interior  to  the 

entrance. In  anatomy,  that  part  of  the  internal  ear  behind 

the   cavity  of  the   tympanum. In  metallurgy,  a  series  of 

troughs  in  a  stamping-mill  through  which  water  passes  for 
v/ashiiig  pulverized  ore. 

LACHENALIA.  A  genus  of  bulbous  plants,  almost 
exclusively  natives  of  the  Cape;  named  by  Jacquin  jun. 
in  honour  of  Werner  de  Lachenal,  formerly  professor  of 
botany  and  anatomy  at  Basle,  a  distinguished  pupil  of  Haller, 
and  friend  of  Linn^us. 

LACONIC,  LACONICAL.  Short,  brief,  pithy,  senten- 
tious, expressing  much  in  few  words,  as  a  laconic  phrase ;  so 
named  from  the  Laconians  or  Spartans,  who  spoke  in  this 
style. 

LACONICUM.  A  stove  or  sweating-room ;  so  called 
because  they  were  much  used  by  the  natives  of  Laconia. 

LACONISM  or  LACONICISM.  A  concise  style  ;  a  brief 
sententious  phrase  or  expression. —  See  Laconic. 

LACRIMA  CRISTI  {Lachryma  Christi).  "  The  tears  of 
Christ ;"  a  celebrated  wine  made  from  a  grape  growing  at  the 
foot  of  Vesuvius. 

LAFAYETTE  FISH  {Leiostomus  obliquus).  A  delicious 
sea-fish,  Avhich  appears  in  the  summer  in  great  abundance  at 
Cape  Island,  on  the  Jersey  coast,  and  is  hence  called  the  Cape 
May-Goody.  The  name  Lafayette  Fish,  by  which  it  is  known 
at  New  York  and  its  vicinity,  was  given  it  on  account  of  its 
appearance  one  summer  coinciding  with  the  last  visit  of  Gene- 
ral Lafayette  to  America. — Professor  S.  F.  Baird. 

LAFITTE  (CHATEAU).  One  of  the  four  famous  red  Bor- 
deaux wines,  called  Clarets  by  the  English  ;  so  named  from 
the  extensive  vineyard  of  Chateau  Lafitte  in  the  Haut-Medoc, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  147 

wliicli  produces  {uinuully  about  943  hectolitres  of    the    first 
quality,  and  200  of  the  second  quality. 

LAGERSTROEMIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Ly- 
thracecB,  whose  species  are  natives  of  the  East  Indies  ;  called 
after  M.  Lagerstroem. 

LALLA  ROOKH.  A  mantle  of  pale  grey  cloth,  trimmed 
with  black  velvet,  and  forming  a  plain  circular  in  front ;  so 
called  from  Moore's  Lalla  Rookh. 

LAMIUM.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Lahiatce  (arch- 
angel or  dead  nettle)  ;  so  named  from  Lamium,  a  mountain  of 
Ionia,  where  it  grew  ;  or  from  lama,  a  ditch,  because  it  usually 
grew  about  ditches  and  neglected  places. —  Forsyth. 

LANARKITE.  A  mineral,  a  sulpho-carbonate  of  lead, 
found  at  Leadhill,  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland  ;  also  in  Siberia, 
the  Harz,  and  the  Tyrol. 

LANDAU.  A  carriage  whose  top  may  be  opened  and 
thrown  back  ;  called  from  Landau,  in  Germany,  where  first 
made. 

LANDAULET.  A  chariot  opening  at  the  top  like  a 
landau,  of  which  word  it  is  a  diminutive. 

LAODICEAN.  Lukewarm  in  religion,  like  the  Christians 
of  Laodicea  (now  Latakia),  in  Asia  Minor. 

LAODICEANISM.  Lukewarmness  in  religion.  Revela- 
tion of  St.  John,  iii.  16. 

LAPUTAN.  Impossible,  absurd,  ridiculous;  a  term 
derived  from  Laputa,  the  flying  island  mentioned  in  Gulliver's 
Travels,  whose  inhabitants  (or  rather  those  of  Lagudo,  metro- 
polis of  the  underlying  island)  were  engaged  in  all  sorts  of 
absurdities.  "  It  is  plain  from  the  context  that  the  late  Arch- 
bishop of  Dublin  meant  to  include  his  friend's  project  among 
those  which  are  taken  for  Laputan  before  they  are  realized, 
and  taken  for  granted  after,  as  if  neither  in  conception  nor 
execution  they  had  ever  involved  any  theoretical  or  practical 
difficulty."— The  Globe,  on  Babbage,  Sep.  1864. 

LARDIZABALA.  A  genus  of  South  American  plants,  a 
twining  shrub,  found  in  the  woods  of  Chili  and  Peru ;  named 
in  honour  of  Michael  Lardizabala,  a  Spanish  naturalist. 

LATAKIA.       A    tobacco    famed   both    in    the    East    and 


148  VERBA    NOMINAIJA. 

throughout  Europe;  brought  from  Latikia  (the  anc.  Laodicea), 
in  Syria,  near  which  it  is  largely  cultivated. 

LATERAN.  Certain  ecclesiastical  councils,  so  called  from 
having  been  held  at  the  Lateran,  one  of  the  churches  at 
Rome,  with  a  palace  and  other  buildings  annexed  to  it.  The 
church  is  said  to  have  been  named  from  a  man  who  owned  the 
ground  in  the  time  of  Nero.  See  Burgon's  Letters  from  Rome, 
and  Wordsworth's  Italy. 

LATINI8M.  A  Latin  idiom,  a  mode  of  speech  peculiar  to 
the  Latins,  or  people  of  Latium,  in  Italy. 

LATOUR.  A  celebrated  Bordeaux  wine  from  Chateau 
Latour,  between  Julien  and  Pauillac. 

LATROBITE.  A  mineral,  colour  pink  or  rose  red,  allied 
to  the  felspars  ;  from  the  island  of  Latrobe,  near  the  Labrador 
coast. 

LAUBENHEIMER.  A  wine  from  Laubenheim,  in  Ger- 
many. 

LAUG-ERIA.  An  upright  branching  shrub  ten  feet  high, 
native  of  Carthagena,  Havannah,  &c.;  named  by  Jacquin  after 
Robert  Laugier,  professor  of  chemistry  and  botany  at  the 
University  of  Vienna  when  the  botanic  garden  was  first  esta- 
blished there. 

LAUMONITE.  A  mineral  found  in  groups  of  prismatic 
crystals  or  prismatic  distinct  concretions ;  called  from  Gillet 
Laumont,  who  first  observed  it,  in  1785,  in  the  lead  mines  of 
Hulgoet,  in  Bretagne. 

LAURENTIAN.  A  vast  series  of  stratified  and  crystal- 
line rocks  of  gneiss,  mica-schist,  quartzite,  and  limestone, 
about  40,000  feet  in  thickness,  discovered  by  Sir  W.  E.  Logan 
northward  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  in  Canada. 

LAUROSIS.  The  spodium  of  silver ;  so  called  from 
Mount  Laurus,  where  there  were  silver  mines, — Forsyth. 

LAVATERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Malvacece;  named 
by  Tournefort  in  honour  of  Lavater,  physician  and  botanist  of 
Zurich,  and  father  of  the  celebrated  physiognomist. 

LAVOISERA.  A  genus  of  showy  Brazilian  shrubs,  or. 
Monogynia ;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Lavoisier. 

LAWSONIA.     A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or,  Lythracece ;  na- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  149 

tive  of  India,  Egypt,  &c.,  whose  leaves  are  much  used  by  the 
Egyptian  women  to  colour  their  nails  yellow,  which  they 
esteem  an  ornament ;  dedicated  by  Linnaeus  to  John  (Miller 
says  Isaac)  Lawson,  M.D.,  of  North  Britain,  author  of 
a  Voyage  to  Carolina,  containing  much  information  on  the 
plants  of  that  country,  Lond.  1709.  The  Arabian  plant 
alcanna  or  henna  is  a  species  of  Lawsonia. 

LAXMANNIA.  A  name  originally  given  by  Forster 
(Genera,  t.  47)  to  a  syngenesious  tree  of  St.  Helena,  which 
Solander  considered  as  a  Bidens,  but  which  George  Forster 
(Plautffi  AtlanticEe,  56)  subsequently  referred  to  Spilanthus. 
The  name  was  given  in  honour  of  the  Rev.  Ericus  Laxmann, 
native  of  Finland  (professor  of  the  Academy  at  Petersburg), 
who  made  many  botanical  discoveries  in  Siberia,  and  who  died 
in  1796. 

LAZAR  (Sp.  lazaro).  A  person  infected  with  nauseous 
and  pestilential  disease  (^Shahs.  Dryderi);  named  from  Lazarus. 

LAZARET  or  LAZARETTO  {^i^lazereto;  It.  lazzeretto ; 
Fr.  lazaret).  Sometimes  called  a  lazar-house  ;  a  public  build- 
ing, hospital,  or  pest-house  for  the  reception  of  diseased  per- 
sons, especially  those  affected  with  contagious  distempers ;  so 
named  from  Lazarus.  For  a  good  account  of  a  Lazaret  see 
Diet,  de  la  Convers.  Par.  1837. 

LAZZARONI  (It.).  In  Naples,  the  poor  who  live  by 
begging,  or  have  no  permanent  habitation  ;  so  called  from  the 
hospital  of  St.  Lazarus,  which  serves  as  their  refuge. — Brande, 

LEADHILLITE.  A  mineral  related  to  aragonite,  found 
principally  at  Leadhills,  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  associated 
with  other  ores  of  lead.  The  island  of  Grenada,  and  that  of 
Serpho  in  the  Grecian  Archipelago,  are  also  stated  to  be 
localities  for  it. 

LEBECKIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants,  natives  of 
the  Cape  ;  named  in  honour  of  M.  Lebeck. 

LEBRETONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Polyandria ; 
named  in  honour  of  Manuel  le  Breton,  a  French  botanist. 

LECCA  GUM.  The  gum  of  the  olive  tree,  which  is 
abundantly  collected  at  Lecca,  in  Calabria. 

LECHEA.     A  genus  of   North  American  plants,  or.  Orl- 


150  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

gynia  ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of  Professor  John  Leche, 
of  Abo,  Finland,  member  of  the  Stockhohn  Academy,  and 
author  of  several  papers  on  zoology,  botany,  and  rural  eco- 
nomy. 

LECHENAULTIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Monogynia, 
natives  of  the  tropical  parts  of  New  Holland ;  named  after  M. 
Lechenault,  a  distinguished  French  botanist  and  traveller. 

LEDEBURIA.  A  genus  of  umbelliferous  plants ;  named 
in  honour  of  M.  Ledebure. 

LEDERERITE.  A  mineral ;  a  hydrous  silicate  ;  found  in 
bright,  transparent,  six-sided  prisms  at  Cape  Blomidon,  in 
Nova  Scotia,  supposed  to  be  chabasie ;  named  after  Baron 
Lederer,  formerly  Austrian  consul  at  New  York. 

LEEA.  A  genus  of  shrubby  plants,  natives  of  the  East 
Indies ;  named  by  Linn^us  in  honour  of  Mr.  James  Lee, 
author  of  An  Introduction  to  Botany. 

LEEDSITE.  A  mineral  regarded  as  a  mechanical  mixture 
of  sulphates  of  lime  and  baryta ;  from  near  Leeds,  Yorkshire. 

LEELITE.  A  mineral ;  colour  deep  flesh-red  ;  consisting 
of  silica,  alumina,  protoxide  of  iron,  and  potash ;  called  after 
Dr.  Lee,  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 

LEHUNTITE.  A  compact  zeolite  found  in  Antrim  by 
Captain  Lehunt. 

LEMANEA.  A  genus  of  Fuci,  in  which  the  frond  is 
hollow,  and  converted  into  a  recepticle ;  named  in  honour  of 
M.  Leman,  a  French  botanist. 

LEMANITE.  A  synonym  of  felspar ;  named  from  Lac 
Leman  (Lake  of  Geneva),  where  it  is  found. 

LEMNIAS  (Lemnian  earth).  A  kind  of  astringent  medi- 
cinal earth  used  in  the  same  cases  as  bole ;  from  the  isle  of 
Lemnos,  in  the  ^gean  Sea,  whence  it  is  brought. 

LEMONIA.  A  genus  of  West  Indian  plants,  or.  Mono- 
gynia; named  after  Sir  C.  Lemon. 

LENZINITE.  A  mineral  of  two  kinds,  the  opaline  and 
argillaceous  ;  a  variety  of  clay  found  at  Eifeld,  in  Prussia ; 
named  after  Lenzius,  a  German  mineralogist. 

LEONHARDITE.  A  mineral,  consisting  chiefly  of  silica, 
alumina,  and  lime  ;  found  in   Hungary  and  Bavaria ;  also  at 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  151 

Copper  Falls  and  in  Lake  Superior  region ;  doubtless  named 
after  its  discoverer  Leonhard. 

LEOPOLD.  A  gold  coin  of  Belgium,  equal  to  24fr.  20c.; 
named  after  the  present  King  of  Belgium. 

LEOPOLDONE.  A  silver  coin  of  Tuscany,  similar  to  the 
francescone  ;  that  of  1790  being  of  the  assay  value  of  4s.  5|d. ; 
njimcd  after  Leopoldo,  a  Duke  of  Tuscany. 

LERBACHITE.  A  mineral  composed  of  lead,  mercury, 
and  selenium;  found  under  the  same  circumstances  as  claus- 
thalite  at  Lerbach  and  Tilkerode,  in  the  Harz. 

LERCHEA.  An  irregular-growing  shrub ;  named  by 
LinniBus  in  honour  of  John  James  Lerche,  principal  physician 
to  the  Russian  armies,  who  was  born  at  Potsdam  in  1703,  and 
died  at. Petersburg  in  1780. 

LESPEDEZA.  A  genus  of  North  American  leguminous 
plants ;  named  after  Lespedez,  formerly  Governor  of  Florida. 

LESSERTIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants,  natives  of 
the  Cape ;  named  after  M.  B.  Lessert,  of  Paris. 

LESTIBUDESIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  best  known 
species  of  which  is  the  L.  ai^borescens,  found  in  New  Holland  ; 
named  in  honour  of  Lestiboudois,  a  French  naturalist. 

LETHEAN,  Inducing  forgetfuluess  or  oblivion.  "  Time 
will  show  how  far  the  Prince  (Napoleon)  is  superior  to  the 
Lethean  and  somniferous  effects  of  the  atmosj)here  of  the 
official  circle "  (^Standard).  Shakspeare  uses  letheed  in  the 
same  sense.  From  Lethe,  a  river  of  the  infernal  regions,  whose 
waters  were  said  to  cause  forgetfuluess  of  the  past  (Gr.  \rj&rj, 
forgetfulness,  oblivion). 

LETTSOMIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Monoyynia ;  named 
after  Dr.  John  C.  Lettsom,  F.R.S. 

LEUCHTENBERGITE.  A  mineral,  composed  of  silica, 
alumina,  magnesia,  peroxide  of  iron,  lime,  and  water ;  named 
after  the  Duke  of  Leuchtenberg,  or  from  Leuchtenberg  in 
Bavaria. 

LEUISIA.  A  genus  of  plants  ;  named  after  Captain  M. 
Lewis,  Avho  accompanied  Captain  Clerke  to  North  America. 

LEUSEA.  A  genus  of  composite  plants ;  named  by  Can- 
dolle  after  his  friend  M.  Leleuse. 


152  VEKBA    NOMINALIA. 

LEUTHRITE  or  LEUTTRITE.  A  greyish-white  mine- 
ral ;  a  decomposed  rock,  analogous  to  the  sandy  varieties  of 
dolomite ;  found  at  Leuthra  or  Leuttra,  near  Jena,  in  Saxony. 

LEVANTER.  A  strong  easterly  wind  in  the  Mediterra- 
nean, so  called  because  it  comes  from  the  Levant. The  cant 

name  for  one  who  bets  at  a  horse-race,  and  runs  away  without 
paying  the  wager  lost ;  any  one  who  runs  away  disgracefully. 
It  was  no  doubt  formerly  considered  fashionable  to  travel  in 
the  East ;  when,  therefore,  any  one  was  in  pecuniary  difficulties, 
and  it  was  convenient  for  him  to  keep  out  of  the  way,  it  was 
perhaps  given  out  that  he  was  gone  to  the  Levant ;  hence 
doubtless  the  term  levanter. 

LEVANTIN.  A  name  still  given  not  only  to  all  the 
traffickers  and  ships  of  the  maritime  towns  of  the  Levant,  but 
also  to  those  of  the  States  of  Barbary.  The  sailors  of  Pro- 
vence and  Languedoc  were  called  Levantins,  when  the  French 
marine  was  divided  into  Ocean  marine  or  of  the  West,  and 
marine  of  the  Mediterranean  or  of  the  Levant  or  East. 

LEVANTINE.     A  kind  of  silk  cloth  from  the  Levant. 

LEVITICAL.  Priestly  (i/iYtoft);  from  the  Levites,  officers 
in  the  Jewish  church. 

LEVITICUS.  A  canonical  book  of  the  Old  Testament, 
containing  the  laws  and  regulations  relating  to  the  priests  and 
Levites  among  the  Jews,  or  the  body  of  the  ceremonial  law. 

LEVYNE.  A  mineral,  supposed  to  be  identical  with 
chabasite ;  found  in  Scotland,  Farol,  Greenland,  Iceland,  &c.; 
named  after  the  English  mineralogist  Levy. 

LEYDEN  JAR.  A  glass  jar  or  bottle  used  to  accumulate 
electricity  ;  invented  at  Leyden,  in  Holland. 

LHERZOLITE.  A  mineral,  a  variety  of  pyroxene  ;  from 
Lherz,  in  the  Pyi'enees. 

LIB  ANUS.  The  frankincense  tree  ;  from  Lebanon  (or 
Libanus),  a  mountain  in  Syria,  where  it  grows. — Forsijth. 

LIBETHENITE.  A  mineral,  consisting  of  phosphoric 
acid,  oxide  of  copper,  and  Avater ;  found  in  cavities  in  mica 
slate  at  Libethen  in  Hungary,  at  Ehl  near  Linz  on  the 
Rhine,  at  Gunnis  Lake  in  Cornwall,  and  at  Nischnii-Tagilsk 
in  the  Ural. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  153 

LICIITENBERG'S  FIGURES.  When  the  knob  of  u 
charged  Leydeii  phial  is  drawn  over  a  flat  surface  of  lac  or 
resin,  as,  for  instance,  the  plate  of  an  electro-phosphorus,  it 
leaves  a  charge  in  its  track,  positive  or  negative,  as  we  choose  ; 
and  if  after  this  a  mixture  of  certain  powders  be  sifted  upon 
the  plate,  as,  for  instance,  of  powdered  sulphur  and  red  lead,  the 
sulphur  will  adhere  to  the  one,  and  the  red  lead  to  the  other 
electrified  surface,  and,  with  a  little  management,  groups  of 
figures  resembling  flowers  may  be  thus  brought  out  as  Lich- 
tenberg  first  observed. — Brande. 

LIEBERKUHNIAN  GLANDS.  In  anatomy,  simple 
secerning  cavities,  thickly  distributed  over  the  whole  surface 
of  the  large  and  smaller  intestines  ;  so  called  after  Lieber- 
kiihnn,  who  observed  them  in  the  small  intestines,  where  they 
ai"e  visible  only  with  the  aid  of  a  lens,  their  orifices  appearing 
as  minute  dots  scattered  between  the  villi. 

LIEBIGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Gesneracece ;  named 
in  honour  of  Professor  Liebig. 

LIEBIGITE.  A  mineral  of  a  green  colour,  found  with 
pechuran  at  Adrianople  ;  named  after  Liebig. 

LIEVRITE.  A  mineral  first  discovered  in  1802  on  the 
Rio  la  Marina,  in  the  isle  of  Elba,  by  M.  Lelievre.  It  has 
also  been  found  in  Norway,  Siberia,  the  Harz,  and  in  Tyrol 
and  Saxony.  It  was  named  lievrite  after  its  discoverer  ; 
ilvaite  from  Elba ;  and  yenite  or  jenite  by  the  French,  in 
commemoration  of  the  battle  of  Jena,  in  1806. 

LIGURITE.  A  mineral ;  colour  apple-green,  occasionally 
speckled ;  named  from  Liguria,  in  ancient  geography  a  divi- 
sion of  Italy. 

LILLIPUTIAN.  A  person  of  very  small  size  (sometimes 
used  as  an  adjective)  ;  lit.  one  belonging  to  a  diminutive  race 
described  in  Swift's  Kingdom  of  Lilliput  (Gulliver's  Travels). 
"  Cette  fable  est  une  imitation  assez  ingenieuse  de  celle  des  pyg- 
mees  dont  il  est  tant  de  fois  question  dans  les  anciens  poetes." 

LINARITE.  The  cupreous  sulphate  of  lead,  a  mineral  so 
named  from  occurring  at  Linares,  in  Andalusia  ;  but  also  found 
at  Leadhills  in  Scotland,  Roughten  Gill  in  Cumberland,  and 
near  Ems  in  Germany. 


154  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

LINCOLN  GREEN.  A  colour  of  clotli  formerly  made  in 
Lincoln  (*S'/)enser).  "And  worn  by  foresters  and  rovers" 
(;S'.  F.  C.) 

LINCOLNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  natives  of  the 
Cape ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of  a  botanist  named 
Lincoln. 

LINDACKERITE.  A  mineral,  vitreous  ;  verdigris  to 
apple-green  ;  analysed  by  Lindacker. 

LINDERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of  which 
is  a  tree,  L.  umbella,  native  of  Japan ;  named  by  Thunberg 
in  memory  of  John  Linder,  a  celebrated  Swedish  botanist, 
author  of  Flora  Wiksbergensis. 

LINDERNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiospermia,  whose 
species  are  herbaceous  annuals  ;  named  by  Alboni  in  honour  of 
Francis  Balthazar  von  Lindern,  a  physician  of  Strasbourg. 

LINNvEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiospermia ;  named 
by  Gronovius  in  honour  of  his  friend  Linnaeus. 

LINN^AN  SYSTEM.  The  mode  of  classification  for 
distinguishing  plants,  animals,  and  minerals  adopted  by  Lin- 
naeus or  Von  Linue,  the  celebrated  botanist,  who  was  born  at 
Rashult,  province  Smaland,  in  Sweden,  13  May,  1707,  O.S. 

LINSEY-WOOLSEY.  Stuff  made  of  linen  and  wool 
(mixed),  originally  manufactured  at  Lindsey,  near  Hadleigh, 

in  Suffolk. Vile  ;  mean  ;  of  different  and  unsuitable  jDarts 

(^Johnson). 

LISBON.     A  sweet  light-coloured  wine  from  Lisbon. 

LIVONICA-TERRA.  A  species  of  fine  bole  found  in 
Livonia,  a  government  of  Russia. 

LIVORNINA.  An  old  silver  coin  current  at  Livorno 
(Leghorn),  equal  to  4s.  o^d. 

LLOYD'S.  A  part  of  the  Royal  Exchange,  in  London, 
appropriated  to  the  use  of  underwriters  and  insurance  brokers; 
so  named  from  Lloyd's  Coffee-house,  where  there  were  formerly 
rooms  for  the  same  purpose. 

LOBELIA.  An  extensive  genus  of  plants ;  named  after 
M.  Lobel,  a  French  physican  to  King  James  I.  The  L.  injlata, 
or  Indian  tobacco,  is  an  annual  plant  of  North  America,  and 
has  been  often  used  as  an  emetic  and  expectorant,  &c. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  155 

LOCHABER  AXE.  A  formidable  war  weapon  formerly 
used  by  the  Scotch  Highlanders  ;  so  named  from  Lochaber.  a 
district  of  Invernessshire,  domain  of  Banquo,  Thane  of  Loch- 
aber, and  ancestor  of  the  royal  house  of  Stewart.  It  was  upon 
one  of  the  wildest  mountains  in  this  wild  country  that  the 
Pretender  erected  his  standard  in  1745. 

"  Farewell  to  Lochaber,  and  farewell  my  Jean, 
Where  heartsome  with  thee  I  have  many  days  been." 

Ramsay. 

LOLLARDY.  The  doctrines  of  the  Lollards  {Webster),  a 
sect  in  G-ermany  who  dissented  from  the  church  before  she  re- 
nounced popery.  They  sprang  from  William  Lollard,  who 
began  to  propagate  his  opinions  in  1315,  and  was  burned  at 
Cologne  in  1351.  After  his  death  the  term  was  used  reproach- 
fully to  designate  the  disciples  of  WicklifFe.  They  were  pro- 
scribed by  Parliament  in  1406,  and  many  of  them  were  exe- 
cuted about  1414. 

LOMBARD.  A  money-lender  or  banker ;  a  profession 
first  exercised  in  London  by  the  Lombards. — Smart. 

LOMBARD-HOUSE  or  LOMBARD.  A  public  institu- 
tion for  lending  money  to  the  poor  at  a  moderate  interest  upon 
articles  deposited  and  pledged  ;  called  also  Mont  de  Piete. 
See  Lombard. 

LOMBARDIC.  Au  epithet  applied  to  one  of  the  ancient 
alphabets  derived  from  the  Roman,  and  relating  to  the  manu- 
scripts of  Italy  {Astle);  so  named  from  the  Lombards. 

LONDON  CLAY.  An  extensive  deposit  of  a  bluish  clay, 
except  near  the  surface,  abounding  in  Middlesex,  Essex,  Suf- 
folk, and  part  of  Norfolk.  It  occasionally  includes  beds  of 
sandstone,  and  of  a  coarse  argillaceous  limestone,  from  which 
Parker's  Roman  cement  is  made. 

LONDON  PRIDE.     A  flower  ;  the  Saxifraga  imbrosa. 

LONDONISM.  A  mode  of  speaking  peculiar  to  London. 
—Fegge. 

LONDONIZE.  To  give  a  manner  or  character  which 
distinguishes  the  people  of  London. — Smart. 

LORCHA.     A  Chinese  ship  ;    Mr.  Cobden  (H.  of  C.  26 


156  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Feb.  1857)  says,  "a  vessel  called  a  lorcha,  a  name  derived  from 
the  Portuguese  settlement  at  Macao,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Can- 
ton River,  opposite  Hong  Kong,  and  which  merely  means  that 
it  is  built  after  the  European  model,  but  not  that  it  is  built  in 
Europe."  This  word  may  however  be  from  the  Chinese  loiv 
chuen,  a  sort  of  fighting  ships ;  from  chuen,  a  ship,  or  any 
vessel  that  navigates  the  water  ;  or  from  the  Portuguese  lancha, 
a  launch,  pinnace,  or  small  ship. 

LORETTE.  A  modern  French  term  designating  a  class  of 
women  of  light  and  easy  manners,  and  given  to  pleasure.  The 
lorette  has  much  analogy  with  the  grisette,  from  whom,  how- 
ever, she  distinguishes  herself  by  habits  of  luxury,  ordinarily 
ignored  by  the  latter.  "  The  Lorettes  are  said  to  have  received 
their  name  from  formerly  frequenting  the  Church  of  Notre 
Dame  de  Lorette  at  Paris  "  {_S.  F.  Creswell). 

LOTHARIO.  A  gay  deceiver.  A  correspondent  of  Notes 
and  Queries  says,  "  This  expression  doubtless  takes  its  name 
from  Don  Quixote,  where,  in  the  '  Impertinent  Curiosity '  (a 
story  inserted  in  the  second  part  of  that  romance),  Lothario  is 
the  name  of  one  of  the  characters,  who  seduces  his  friend's 
wife;"  but  the  term  is  more  probably  derived  from  the  follow- 
ing line  in  Rowe's  tragedy  of  the  Fair  Penitent,  act  v.  sc.  1: — 

"  Is  this  that  haughty  gallant,  gay  Lothario  ?" 

Another  correspondent  of  N.  &  Q.  says,  "  '  The  gallant,  gay 
Lothario  !'  the  '  dear  Perfidious  !'  is  a  character  in  one  of  the 
early  tragedies  of  the  poet  Nicholas  Rowe,  the  Fair  Penitent, 
which  is  somewhat  upon  the  model  of  Le  Festin  de  Pierre  of 
Moliere  :  the  hero  of  each  being  a  libertin  effreiie ;  and  perhaps 
I  may  more  delicately  explain  the  characters  of  both  by  quoting 
the  monologue  of  the  valet  of  Moliere's  hero  (^Sganarelle),  upon 
the  denouement ;  or  I  might  say,  la  catastrophe,  did  not  Moliere 
call  it  a  comedy : — '  Voila  par  sa  mort,  un  chacun  satisfait.  Ciel 
offense,  lois  violees,  filles  seduites,  families  deshonorees,  parens 
outrages,  femmes  mises  a  mal,  maris  pousses  a  bout,  tout  le 
monde  est  content.'"  See  also  Notes  and  Queries,  2nd  S.  102, 
479. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  157 

LOUDONIA.  A  Swan  River  shrub  discovered  by  Drum- 
mond  in  1843.  "The  genus  was  named  by  Dr.  Lindley  in 
compliment  to  Mr.  Loudon." — Ift^s.  Loudon. 

LOUIS  D'OR.  A  gold  coin  of  France,  first  struck  in 
1640,  in  the  reign  of  Louis  XIII. ;  value  20s.  sterling. 

LUB AN-MATTEE.  A  gum  olibanum,  possessing  a  strong 
agreeable  citron-like  odour,  and  but  little  taste ;  named  from 
Bunder  Mattee,  the  port  whence  it  is  brought. 

LUCERN,  LUCERNE,  or  LUZERNE  (Port,  luzerna  and 
medicagem  dos  pastos).  A  leguminous  plant  of  the  genus  3Ien- 
dicago,  cultivated  for  fodder.  "  Qu.  W.  llysau,  plants ;  lly- 
sieuyn,  a  plant ;  Corn,  lyzuan ;  or  from  Lucerne,  in  Switzer- 
land."—  Webster. 

LUCULLITE.  A  sub-species  of  rhomboidal  limestone,  the 
nero  antico  of  the  Italians.  The  Consul  Lucullus  so  much 
admired  its  compact  variety  as  to  honour  it  with  his  name. 

LUDLOW  ROCKS.  A  name  given  by  Murchison  to  the 
upper  portion  of  the  Silurian  system,  as  developed  near 
Ludlow,  in  Shropshire. 

LUDWIGrlA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  India;  named 
by  Linnteus  in  honour  of  C.  T.  Ludwig,  author  of  Definitiones 
Plantarum. 

LUHEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  natives  of  Brazil; 
named  by  Willdenow  in  honour  of  Charles  Van  der  Luhe,  a 
German  botanist. 

LULLABY.  A  song  to  soothe  babes  ;  that  which  quiets 
(Locke).  "  As  is  a  nurse's  song  of  lullaby,  to  bring  her  babe 
to  sleep  "  (Shak.)  From  lull  and  by.  "  Lullaby,  or  L'Elaby, 
from  a  supposed  fairy  called  EUaby  Gathon,  Avhom  nurses  in- 
vited to  watch  the  sleeping  babes,  that  they  might  not  be 
changed  for  others.  Hence  changeling,  or  infant  changed  " 
(Pidleyn). 

LUNANEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Terebinthacece ; 
named  after  John  Lunan,  author  of  Hortus  Jamaicensis. 

LUSH.  Intoxicating  drinks  of  all  kinds,  but  generally 
used  for  beer.  "  Lush  and  its  derivatives  claim  Lushington, 
the  brewer,  as  sponsor," — Globe,  8  Sep.  1859. 

LUSHINGTON.     A   drunkard,   or   one   who   continually 


158  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

soaks  himself  with  drains  and  pints  of  beer.  "  Some  years 
since  there  was  a  Lushington  Club  in  Bow  Street,  Covent 
Garden  "  (J.  C.  H.)     See  Lush. 

LUSIAD.  The  celebrated  epic  poem  written  by  Camoens 
on  the  establishment  of  the  Portuguese  government  in  India. 
The  Portuguese  title  which  he  gave  it,  Os  Lusiados,  "  The 
Lusitanians,"  denotes  the  true  motive  of  its  subject.  Don 
Luis  de  Camoens,  called  the  Homer  and  Virgil  of  Portugal, 
was  born  at  Lisbon,  although  Coimbra  and  Santarem  have 
disputed  this  honour.  According  to  some,  he  was  born  in 
1517;  but  most  biographers  say  1524. 

LUTHERANISM.  The  doctrines  of  religion  as  taught  by 
Martin  Luther,  who  was  born  in  1483  at  Eisleben,  in  Lower 
Saxony,  and  died  there  18  Feb.  1546. 

LYCEUM  (Fr.  Lijcee).  A  house  or  apartment  appropriated 
to  instruction  by  lectures  or  disquisitions  ;  named  from  Lyceum 
{AvKsiov),  a  place  near  the  River  Ilissus,  in  Attica,  where 

Aristotle  taught   philosophy. An   association  of  men    for 

literary  purposes. 

LYDIAN.  Soft,  effeminate ;  a  kind  of  soft  slow  music 
anciently  in  vogue ;  so  called  from  Lydia,  in  Asia  Minor. 

LYDIAN  STONE.  A  flint  slate  used  by  the  ancients  to 
try  gold  and  silver ;  a  touchstone ;  named  from  Lydia,  in  Asia 
Minor,  where  it  was  doubtless  found. 

LYNCH  (an  American  word).  To  inflict  pain  or  punish 
summarily  without  the  forms  of  law,  as  by  a  mob,  or  by  un- 
authorized persons.     See  Lynch  Law. 

LYNCH  LAW.  The  practice  of  punishing  men  for  crimes 
or  oflx;nces  by  private  unauthorized  persons  without  a  legal 
trial.  "  A  name  given  in  America  to  an  irregular  and  sum- 
mary administration  of  justice  by  the  populace,  and  which 
originated  from  the  difliculty  of  adhering  to  the  usual  forms  of 
law  in  the  newly-formed  states.  The  name  is  derived  from  a 
Virginian  farmer  of  the  name  of  Lynch,  who  was  the  first  to 
flog  a  thief  without  any  judiciary  appeal."  {T.  Wright,  M.A.) 
Lynch  law  originated  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  Piedmont 
country  of  Virginia,  which  was  at  the  time  the  western  fron- 
tier.    The  nearest  court  of  criminal  jurisdiction  held  its  sessions 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  159 

at  Williamsburg,  which  is  but  seven  miles  from  Jamestown, 
where  the  first  settlement  was  made.  When  the  condition  of 
the  country  at  that  time  is  duly  considered,  it  will  be  seen  that 
practically  the  inliabitants  of  the  Piedmont  country  had  no 
law,  and  were  actually  forced  to  be  a  law  unto  themselves. 
Misdemeanours  and  crimes  of  every  sort  were  of  frequent 
occurrence  ;  and  yet  the  apprehension  and  delivery  of  a  crimi- 
nal involved  an  arduous  journey  of  hundreds  of  miles,  mostly 
through  a  wilderness,  which  not  only  occupied  weeks,  but 
months.  Now  in  every  district  there  were  men  of  sound 
judgment  and  high  character,  to  whom  controversies  were 
constantly  referred,  and  whose  decisions  Avere  regarded  as 
final.  Prominent  among  these  was  a  man  named  Lynch, 
whose  awards  exhibited  so  much  justice,  judgment,  and  im- 
partiality that  he  was  knoAvn  throughout  the  country  as  Judge 
Lynch.  In  the  course  of  time  criminals  were  brought  before 
him,  and  he  awarded  such  punishments  as  he  considered  just  and 
proper.  There  were  other  persons,  in  different  districts,  who 
acted  as  arbitrators,  and  who  awarded  punishments  ;  but  Judge 
Lynch  was  the  most  conspicuous,  and  consequently  the  system 
took  his  name,  and  was  called  Lynch  law.  This  was  a  com- 
pliment to  his  integrity  and  high  character.  But  of  late  years 
the  term  has  been  regarded  as  a  reproach,  because  violent  and 
unprincipled  men,  such  men  as  Lynch  was  wont  to  punish, 
have  set  the  laws  at  defiance,  and,  while  inflamed  with  passion, 
or  maddened  by  a  thirst  for  revenge,  have  usurped  the  prero- 
gatives of  the  courts  of  justice. —  Washington  Sentinel. 

LYSANDRIA.  A  Samian  festival,  celebrated  with  sacri- 
fices and  games,  in  honour  of  Lysander  a  Spartan  general, 
very  celebrated  about  the  close  of  the  Pelojionnesian  War. 

LYSIARCH.  An  ancient  magistrate,  being  the  pontiff  of 
Lycia,  or  superintendent  of  the  sacred  games  of  that  province. 

LYSIMACHIA.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  plants,  of  four 
British  species,  one  of  which  (money-wort)  is  very  common 
in  marshes  in  the  north  of  England ;  named  after  Lysimachus 
of  Sicily,  who  is  said  to  have  discovered  its  styptic  and 
astringent  qualities. 


160  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 


M. 


MAASTRICHT  ROCKS.  An  upper  calcareous  formation 
about  ten  feet  thick,  reposing  on  ordinary  Avliite  chalk  with 
flints,  at  Maastricht,  on  the  banks  of  the  Meuse. 

MACABRE  or  MACABER,  Antiquaries  are  not  decided 
as  to  the  origin  and  meaning  of  the  name  of  the  Macaber 
Dances,  commonly  called  Dance  of  Death.  The  general 
opinion  seems  to  be  that  they  I'eceived  their  name  from 
Macaber,  a  German,  who  first  headed  this  whimsical  subject 
in  some  verses,  in  1460,  translated  by  P.  Desrey  of  Troyes 
into  Latin.  The  most  ancient  known  representation  of  these 
dances  is  in  the  cloisters  of  a  convent  at  Minden,  in  Westphalia, 
bearing  date  in  1 383.  In  the  fifteenth  century  they  were 
painted  on  the  walls  of  cloisters,  cemeteries,  and  churches  ;  on 
covered  bridges,  as  on  the  bridge  at  Lucerne,  in  Switzerland; 
in  castles,  as  at  the  Castle  of  Blois,  built  by  Louis  XII.  in 
1502  (See  Universite  Catholique,  vol.  ii.  376).  "Macaber:  an 
early  German  poet,  author  of  a  work  entitled  the  Dance  of 
Death,  or  the  Dance  of  Macaber,  consisting  of  a  series  of 
dialogues  between  Death  and  a  number  of  personages  belong- 
ing to  various  ranks  of  society.  An  English  translation  of 
this  work  was  published  by  Dugdale  and  Dods worth,  in  the 
third  volume  of  the  Monasticon  Anglicanum ;  and  French 
and  Latin  versions  have  been  repeatedly  printed.  The  Dance 
of  the  Dead  painted  by  Holbein,  in  the  cloister  of  the 
Augustinian  convent  at  Basle,  has  contributed  much  to  the 
fame  of  Macaber."  {Rose  Bio(j.  Diet.')  Macaber,  poete  alle- 
mand,  serait  tout  a  fait  inconnu  sans  I'ouvrage  qu'on  a  sous 
son  nom :  c'est  un  recueil  de  dialogues  entre  la  Mort  et  des 
personnages  choisis  dans  les  divers  etats  de  la  societe ;  idee 
rajeunie  et  developpee  par  Jacques  Jacques,  chanoine  d'Em- 
brun,  dans  le  Faut  mourir.  Cet  ouvrage,  indique  par  Fabricius 
(Bibl.  mecl.  et  infin.  latinitai)  sous  ce  titre.  Speculum  morticini, 
on  Specxdum  chorea  mortttorum  (le  Miroir  de  la  mort,  ou  le 
Miroir  de  la  danse  des  morts),  parait  avoir  ete  ecrit  originaire- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  161 

ment  en  allemaud,  et  a  passe  de  cet  langage  en  latin,  en  fran- 
pais,  et  meme  en  anglais.  La  l'"^  edition  fran^aise,  restee 
longtemps  inconnue  aux  plus  savants  bibliographes,  a  ete 
decouverte  par  ChampoUion-Figeac,  dans  les  manuscrits  de 
la  bibliotbeque  de  Grenoble ;  et  il  a  donne  une  Notice  de  ce 
livre  siugulier  dans  le  Magasiii  EncyclojJe'dique,  annee  1811, 
t.  6,  355  et  suiv.  Cette  edition,  composee  de  deux  cahiers  for- 
mant  dix  feuillets  et  vingt  pages  petit  in-fol.,  contient  dix- 
sept  dialogues  et  autant  de  petites  estampes  gravees  sur  bois  ; 
elle  a  ete  imprimee  a  Paris,  par  Guy  ou  Guyot  Marchant, 
demorant  au  grant  hostel  de.Nauarre,  le  28  Septembre,  1485, 
Lc  mcme  imprimeur  en  publia  une  2<^  edition,  augmentee  de 
plusieurs  nouveaux  personnages,  avee  cet  intitule,  Ce  present 
livre  est  appele  Miroir  salutaire  j^our  toutes  gens,  et  de  tous  estats, 
et  est  de  grande  utilite  et  recreation,  etc.  Paris,  1846,  le  7  juin. 
Debure  en  a  donne  la  description  dans  la  Bihliographie  instruc- 
tive, no.  3109;  mais  il  n'en  a  pas  copie  le  titre,  et  il  a  reuni 
sous  le  meme  article  deux  ouvrages  distincts ;  la  Danse  Maca- 
bre des  homines,  et  la  Danse  Macabre  des  femmes.  D'apres  le 
catalogue  de  la  bibliotbeque  de  Paris,  Debure  attribue  la  ver- 
sion franijaise  de  cet  ouvrage  a  Micbel  Marot;  mais  c'est  une 
distraction  uu  pen  forte,  puisque  Clement,  pere  de  Micbel 
Marot,  n'etait  pas  encore  ne.  Les  biographes  indiquent  une 
3®  edition  de  la  Danse  Macabre,  sortie  des  presses  de  Guy 
Marcliant,  sous  ce  titre — Chorea  ab  eximio  Macabro  versibus 
alemanicis  edita,  etc.,  Paris,  pour  Godefroi  de  Marnef,  Octobre, 
1490,  in-fol.,  fig.;  elle  avait  ete  revue  et  corrigee  par  Pierre 
Desrey  de  Troyes.  Champollion,  qui  a  donne  la  note  chrono- 
logique  des  editions  de  la  Danse  Macabre,  n'a  pas  cite  celle  de 
Desrey ;  et  M.  Brunei,  trompe  par  le  double  titre  latin  et  fran- 
9ais,  a  suppose  qu'il  avait  paru  deux  editions  diiferentes  de  cet 
ouvrage,  en  1490,  cbez  le  meme  imprimeur  {voy.  le  Manuel  du 
Libraire,  t.  l""-  385  et  386).  La  Danse  Macabre  des  hommes  et 
celle  des  femmes  out  ete  reunies  pour  la  premiere  fois,  suivant 
Champollion,  dans  I'edition  de  Troyes,  Nicolas  Lerouge,  in- 
fol.,  fig.  gotb.  sous  ce  titre — la  Grant  Danse  Macabre  des 
hommes  et  des  femmes,  historiee  et  augmentee  de  personnages  et 
beaux  dits  en  latin,  en  vers,  sans  date,  mais  avant  Fan  1500; 

M 


162  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

et  ce  savant  n'a  connu  que  deux  editions  posterieures — Geneve, 
1503,  in-4"'  et  Paris,  1589,  in  8°'  citees  toutes  deux  dans  la 
Bibliogi-aphie  de  Debure.  M.  Brunet  en  indique  trois  autres : 
Lyon,  1499,  in-fol.  goth.;  Rouen,  Guill.  de  la  Mare,  sans  date, 
in-4°'fig.,  lettres  rondes;  et  Paris,  Groulleau,  1550,  petit  in- 12, 
fig.  La  traduction  anglaise  de  la  Danse  Macahre  est  due  "k 
Jean  Porcy,  poete  reste  inconnu  meme  a  ses  compatriotes;  elle 
a  ete  inseree  dans  le  Monasticon  anglicanum  de  Rog.  Dodsworth 
et  Guill.  Dugdale  (Londres,  1673),  t.  3,  368—374,  precedee 
d'une  seule  gravure  de  W.  Hollar.  La  Danse  des  morts  a  ete 
souvent  reproduite  par  les  artistes  du  15®  et  du  16®  siecle;  on 
en  retrouve  les  differents  sujets  dans  les  encadrements  des 
livres  de  prieres,  reimprimes  si  frequemment  en  caracteres 
eemi-gothiques,  de  1490  ^  1550.  La  Danse  des  morts,  que  le 
fameux  peintre  Holbein  avait  executee  dans  le  cloitre  du  cou- 
vent  des  augustins  de  Bale,  a  joui  longtemps  d'une  grande 
celebrite  {yoy.  Holbein  et  Mathias  Merian).  Paul  Chretien 
Hilscher,  pasteur  a.  Dresde,  mort  le  3  aout,  1730,  a  public  en 
allemand  une  notice  des  Danses  des  morts,  a  I'occasion  des 
dessins  et  des  tableaux  de  ce  genre  conserves  dans  la  galerie 
de  Dresde  :  Beschreihung  des  Todten  Tantzes  wie  solcher  zu 
Dressden  auf  den  Schloss  gemaldet,  Budissen,  Riclitei',  1721, 
in-8°  Biog.  Univ.  vol.  25,  Par.  in  voce  Macaber.  The  writer 
of  the  article,  in  a  note,  says: — Est-ce  bien  la  le  nom  d'un  ecri- 
vain  ?  "  Et  u'est  ce  pas  plutot,  suivant  I'ingenieuse  conjecture 
de  M.  Van  Praet,  I'alteration  du  mot  arabe  Magharah,  qui 
siguifie  cimitiere  ?  C'est  ce  qu'on  ne  pent  deviner ;  et  on  a 
du  suivre  I'opinion  commune,  ne  fut-ce  que  pour  pouvoir  donner 
une  idee  d'un  livre  siugulier  et  recherche  des  curieux." 

MACADAMIZE.  To  cover,  as  a  road,  way,  or  path,  with 
small  broken  stones,  so  as  to  form  a  smooth,  hard  surface ;  so 
called  from  the  inventor,  McAdam. 

MACASSAR  OIL.  An  oil  which  is  said  to  beautify  and 
promote  the  growth  of  the  hair ;  so  called  from  Macassar,  a 
Dutch  settlement  on  the  south-west  peninsula  of  the  island 
Celebes,  whence  it  is  said  to  be  brought.  Hence  anti- 
macassar, a  coverlet  for  chairs,  sofas,  &c.,  originally  used  to 
protect  from  oil  and  dirt,  but  now  chiefly  as  an  ornament. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  163 

MACCABEES.  Name  of  certain  apocryphal  books  of  the 
Old  Testament,  which  give  an  account  of  Jewish  affairs  in  the 
time  of  the  Maccabean  princes, — Murdoch. 

MACHIAVEL.     An  epithet  for  a  knave.     See  post. 

MACHIAVELISM.  The  principles  of  Machiavel,  or 
practice  in  conformity  with  them;  political  cunning  and  artifice, 
intended  to  favour  arbitrary  power. —  Cyc. 

.  "  Am  I  politick  ?  am  I  subtle  ?  am  I  a  Machiavel  ?" 

Merry  W.  of  W. 

"  Alen9on,  that  notorious  Machiavel." 

1  Hen.  VI. 

"  And  set  the  murd'rous  Machiavel  to  school." 

3  Hen.  VI. 

From  Niccolo  Machiavelli,  the  celebrated  political  writer 
and  historian,  secretary  and  historiographer  to  the  Republic  of 
Florence,  author  of  Del  Principe,  who  was  born  at  Florence  in 
1469,  and  who  died  in  1530.  The  intention  of  the  writer  of  Del 
Principe  has  been  matter  of  great  controversy,  some  holding 
him  up  as  a  promoter  of  tyranny,  others  maintaining  that  he 
was  its  concealed  but  decided  enemy,  and  that  he  meant  to  put 
the  people  on  their  guard  against  its  machinations.  It  has 
nevertheless  affixed  to  his  name  a  lasting  stigma,  and  machia- 
velism  has  become  a  received  appellation  for  perfidious  and  in- 
famous politics.  The  present  age  had  better  pass  no  judg- 
ment upon  the  matter. 

MACKINTOSH.  A  term  applied  to  waterproof  garments, 
particularly  overcoats,  made  so  by  the  use  of  India  rubber ; 
named  from  the  inventor. 

MACLEAYA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  China;  named 
in  honour  of  A.  Mac  Leay,  F.R.S. 

MACLURITE.  A  mineral,  colour  brilliant  pale  green, 
consisting  of  magnesia  with  other  matters  ;  occurring  in  New 
Jersey,  in  Orange  County,  New  York,  and  at  Pargas,  in  Fin- 
land; named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Maclure,  the  mineralogist. 

MAQON.  A  celebrated  red  wine  made  from  grapes  grown 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Ma9on,  on  the  Saone. 

MACQUARIA  (Fr.  Macquarie ;  L.  Macquaria).     A  genus 

M  2 


164  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

of  fishes  established  by  Cuvier  and  Valenciennes  (Hist,  de 
Poiss.  t,  2,  377),  the  only  species  of  which  is  the  Macquaria 
Australasica,  whose  flesh  is  said  to  be  very  delicate ;  named 
from  the  River  Macquarie,  in  Eastern  Australia;  also  the  name 
of  a  river  of  Tasmania. 

MACQUER'S  SALT  {Sel  arsenical  de  Macquer-).  Neutral 
arsenical  salt ;  super-arseniate  of  potass  ;  so  named  from  Pierre 
Joseph  Macquer,  who  first  discovered  the  combinations  of 
arsenic  acid.  Macquer  was  born  in  Paris  in  1718,  of  a  noble 
family,  originally  from  Scotland ;  was  a  skilful  chemist,  phy- 
sician, and  professor  of  pharmacy;  made  many  discoveries  in 
natural  philosophy,  and  was  author  of  several  works  on 
chemistry,  &c.     He  died  in  1784. 

MADAPOLLAM.  A  sort  of  long  cloth  sufficiently  fine  to 
be  fit  for  the  Indian  market ;  named  from  Madapollam  or 
Maddapollum,  a  maritime  town  of  Hindustan,  prov.  Madras,  in 
whose  vicinity  it  is  manufactured. 

MADEIRA.  A  rich  sherry  formerly  made  on  the  Isle  of 
Madeira.  I  have  drank  very  good  at  Christiania  within  the 
last  ten  years,  and  it  might  even  be  had  in  England  within  the 
last  twenty  years. 

MADELINE  {Poire  de  la  Madelaine).  A  pear,  called, 
among  other  names,  poire  de  St.  Jean. 

MADONNA.  Artistic  name  for  any  picture  representing 
Our  Lady. 

MADONNINA.  A  silver  coin  of  Genoa  of  twenty  soldi ; 
probably  struck  in  honour  of  the  Madonna. 

MADRAS.     A  handkerchief  made  at  Madras. A  rice. 

MADRIGAL  (Sp.  and  Port,  id.;  It.  madrigale).  A  little 
amorous  poem,  sometimes  called  a  pastoral  poem,  containing  a 
certain  number  of  free,  unequal  verses,  not  confined  to  the 
scrupulous  regularity  of  a  sonnet,  or  the  subtilty  of  the  epigram, 
but  containing  some  tender  and  delicate,  though  simple,  thought, 

suitably  expressed  {Cyc.) An  elaborate  vocal  composition 

in  five  or  six  parts.  There  is  a  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  the 
origin  of  the  word.  Some  derive  it  from  Gr.  (xxySpoc,  a  fold, 
stable,  enclosure.  Covarruvias  (Tresor  de  la  langage  Cas- 
tillane),  under  mandra,  says,  "  y  de  aqui  se  dixo  madrigal,  can- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  165 

cion  de  pastores,  quando  se  recogen  a  festear  en  las  madras  o 
cayernas  ;  quasi  mandrigal ;"  and  hence  madrigal,  song  of  the 
shepherds,  when  they  assemble  together  to  feast  in  tlie  madras 
or  caverns  ;  as  though  mandrigal.  And  at  the  word  madrigal : 
"Madrigal,  villa  famosa  por  el  buen  vino;  madrigal,  quasi 
mandrigal ;  cancion  de  las  que  los  pastores  cantan  sesteando 
en  las  cavernas  ;"  Madrigal,  famous  place  for  good  wine  ; 
madrigal,  as  though  mandrigal,  song  sung  by  shepherds  when 
feasting  in  the  caverns.  Of  the  same  opinion  are  Bembo, 
Dolce,  and  Menage.  Menage,  citing  the  above  passages  from 
Covarruvias,  says,  "  The  Italians  have  dropped  the  n  in  mad- 
riale,  from  mandriale,  as  in  sposo  from  sjjonsus,  misura  from 
mensura,  preso  from  prehensus,  &c.;"  and  that  in  French  the 
word  was  anciently  madrigale,  not  madrigal.  Menage,  how- 
ever, admits  —  from  the  passage  in  Covarruvias,  and  from 
the  following,  from  Papirius  Masso,  in  the  life  of  Pope  Euge- 
niusIV.,  "Alfonsum  Testatum,  Hispania,  excellentium  ingeni- 
crum  parens,  in  Madrigale  tenuivico,  genuit  " — that  there  was 
a  place  in  Spain  called  Madrigal  ;  and  he  adds,  "  N 'auroit-ou 
point  appele  de  ce  lieu  les  Madrigaux  ?  de  la  mesme  fa^on  que 
de  la  vallee  de  Vire,  on  a  appele  Vaudevilles,  les  Vaudevilles." 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  word  is  derived  from  some 
locality  in  Spain.  There  is  Madrigal,  a  town,  province 
Avila,  memorable  as  the  birthplace  of  Isabella  of  Castile ; 
Madrigal,  in  Guadalajara ;  Madrigal,  a  small  village,  province 
Caceres ;  Madrigal,  a  pasture  ground  and  a  house,  province 
Toledo ;  and  Madrigal  del  Monte,  province  Burgos.  Of 
Madrigal  in  Avila,  Madoz  says,  "  Destruida  esta  poblacion  en 
las  guerras  entre  cristianos  y  musulmanes,  la  repoblaron  estos, 
quienes  la  dieron  el  nombre  de  Madrigal."  Huet  (Traite  des 
Romans,  124,  last  ed.)  thinks  Martegalcs  and  Madrigaux 
the  same  thing,  and  that  both  words  had  their  origin  from 
the  Martegaux,  montagnards  of  Provence  ;  and  he  says  in.  like 
manner  the  G-avots,  montagnards  of  the  country  of  Gap,  gave 
name  to  the  dance  called  Gavotte. 

MAGDEBURG  HEMISPHERES.  A  hollow  sphere 
composed  t)f  two  hemispheres  which  fit  air-tight ;  intended  to 
show  the  amount  of  the  air's  pressure,  by  the  amount  of  force 


166  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

with  which  they  are  so  held  together  after  the  interior  air  has 
been  removed  by  the  air-pump.  It  was  first  suggested  by 
Otto  Von  Guericke,  an  eminent  philosopher,  who  was  born  in 
1602,  settled  at  Magdeburg,  and  died  in  1686. 

MAGELLANIC  CLOUDS.  Three  conspicuous  nebulse 
situated  near  the  South  Pole,  resembling  thin  white  clouds  ;  so 
called  from  Magellan  or  Magalhaens,  the  Portuguese  navigator, 
who  also  discovered  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  at  the  extremity 
of  South  America. 

MAGENTA.  A  brilliant  red  colour  (discovered  by  Hoff- 
man ?)  ;  so  called  in  honour  of  Napoleon  III.'s  victory  at 
Magenta,  in  North  Italy. — S.  F.  Creswell. 

MAGIANISM.  The  doctrines  of  the  Magi,  a  sect  of  philo- 
sophers, who  held  that  there  are  two  principles,  one  the  cause 
of  good,  the  other  of  evil.     See  Magic. 

MAGIC.  The  production  of  wonderful  effects  by  the  sup- 
posed aid  of  superhuman  beings,  or  of  departed  spirits ;  sor- 
cery ;  enchantment ;  L.  magia,  G.  ^oiyzia.  ;  so  called,  according 
to  some,  from  Mouyog,  a  Persian  philosopher. 

MAGNESIA.  A  soft  white  powder  without  taste  or  smell, 
seldom  found  pure,  but  mixed  with  other  minerals  ;  so  named 
from  Magnesia,  in  Asia  Minor,  now  Manisa  or  Manser,  a  city 
in  the  pashalic  of  Anadolia,  where  it  was  found.  Others 
derive  the  word  from  fji^ccyvrji,  the  loadstone,  because  it  sticks  to 
the  tongue  as  iron  does  to  the  magnet. 

MAGNESITE.  A  silicate  of  magnesia,  containing  a  large 
quantity  of  water  ;  a  name  also  given  to  a  carbonate  of  mag- 
nesia, q.v. 

MAGNET.  The  loadstone ;  a  term  applied  to  certain 
specimens  of  iron  ore,  having  the  property  of  attracting  iron 
and  some  of  its  ores,  and,  when  freely  suspended,  of  pointing  to 
the  Pole ;  a  bar  of  steel  to  which  the  peculiar  properties  of 
the  loadstone  have  been  imparted,  either  by  contact  or  by  other 
means.  L.  magnes,  tis,  Gr.  [xayvrjs,  the  loadstone  ;  so  called  from 
the  mountains  of  Magnesia,  in  Asia  Minor,  which  were  famous  for 
the  production  of  the  loadstone.  According  to  Pliny  (i.  5,  c. 
30  and  36,  and  i.  36,  c.  16),  the  loadstone  was  found  on  Ida,  in 
Phrygia,  by  one  Magnes.  Lempriere  says  "  Magnes  was  a  young 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  167 

man  who  found  himself  detained  by  the  iron  nails  which  were 
under  his  shoes  as  he  walked  over  a  stone  mine.  This  was  no 
other  than  the  magnet,  which  received  its  name  from  the  per- 
son who  had  been  first  sensible  of  its  power."  Some  make 
Magnes  a  slave  of  Medea,  whom  that  enchantress  changed  into 
a  magnet. 

MAGNETIC.  A  term  applied  to  any  metal,  as  iron, 
nickel,  cobalt,  &c.,  which  may  receive,  by  any  means,  the  pro- 
perties of  the  loadstone,  and  lie  when  suspended  in  the  direc- 
tion of  a  magnetic  meridian. 

MAGNETISM.     The  properties  of  the  magnet,  q.v. 

MAGNOLIA  (Fr.  magnolier).  A  genus  of  plants,  trees  or 
shrubs,  all  natives  of  North  America  and  Asia ;  named  by 
Plumier  in  honour  of  Professor  Magnole,  of  Montpellier. 

MAJOLICA  (It.  viaioUca,  maiorica) .  A  name  given  to  a 
kind  of  earth  used  for  making  dishes,  vases,  &c. ;  afterwards 
applied  to  the  ware  itself,  which  resembles  porcelain  ;  so  called 
from  Maiolica  or  Maiorica,  i.e.  Majorca,  where  it  was  first  made. 
A  similar  ware  was  also  anciently  made  at  Faenza,  in  the 
Romagna. 

MAJORANA  (Origcma  majoranci).  Systematic  name  of 
sweet  marjoram  ;  so  called  from  flowering  in  May  {quod  mense 
Maio  Jloreat). 

MAHERNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  the  Cape ; 
named,  according  to  Professor  Martyn,  as  anagrararaatic  of 
Hermannia  (q.v.),  a  genus  to  which  it  is  very  nearly  allied. 

MAHMOUDI  or  MAMOUDI.  A  silver  coin  of  Persia, 
equal  to  about  50  centimes  French  money ;  also  a  silver  piece 
of  5  piasters,  equal  to  4fr.  14c. ;  struck  by  Sultan  Mahmoud  in 
1811. 

MAHOUND.  A  term  which  was  popularly  applied  to  any 
idol,  and  thence  given  to  the  devil,  and  sometimes  to  any 
savage  character ;  mediaeval  corruption  of  the  name  Mahom- 
med.— T.  Wright,  M.A. 

MAID  MARIAN.  Originally  the  lady  of  the  May  games, 
in  a  morris  dance  ;  afterwards  a  character  personated  by  a 
man  in  woman's  clothes ;  also  the  name  of  a  dance. — Toone. 
Smart. 


168  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

MAINTENON  (cotelettes  a  la).  A  manner  of  dressing 
cutlets ;  so  called  after  Madame  de  Maintenon,  mistress  of 
Louis  XIV. 

MALABATHRUM  (/xaAa/SaS^ov).  The  leaf  of  the  tree 
whose  bark  is  called  Cassia ;  named  from  Malabar,  whence  it 
is  brought,  and  Hind,  hetre,  a  leaf. 

MALAGA.     A  sweet  wine  from  Malaga,  in  Spain. 

MALAPROPISM.  An  ignorant  vulgar  misapplication  of 
language ;  so  named  from  Mrs.  Malaprop,  a  character  in 
Sheridan's  comedy  of  The  Rivals.  Mrs.  Partington  has  lately 
succeeded  to  the  mantle  of  Mrs.  Malaprop,  but  the  phrase 
Partingtonism  is  as  yet  uncoined. — /.  C.  Hotten. 

MALAYAN.  A  great  variety  of  the  human  family,  sup- 
posed  to  have  originated  in  the  Malay  peninsula,  and  which 

are  distributed  over  the  Western  Oceania. The  language 

of  the  Malay  peninsula. 

MAL  DE  SIAM.  In  India,  a  name  for  yellow  fever ;  sup- 
posed to  have  been  originally  brought  from  Siam. 

MALLAM-TODDALI.  A  tree  in  Malabar,  whose  root, 
bark,  leaves,  and  fruit  are  esteemed  as  a  specific  in  epilepsy  ; 
so  called  from  Malayalam,  native  name  of  the  province  of 
Malabar. 

MALKIN.  A  mop;  hence,  a  dirty  drab  {Webster).  A 
kind  of  mop,  made  of  clouts,  for  sweeping  ovens  ;  hence  a 
frightful  figure  of  clouts  dressed  up  ;  hence  a  dirty  wench 
{Ha/imer) — 

"  The  kitchin  malkin  pinnes 
Her  richest  lockram  'bout  her  reechie  necke, 
Clamb'ring  the  walls  to  eye  him." — Shalts. 

"  Put  ou  the  shape  of  order  and  humanity, 
Or  you  must  marry  vialkin  the  May  lady." 

Beaum.  and  F.    Mens.  Thomas. 

"  He  went,  and  ere  malkin  could  well  lick  her  ear 
(For  it  but  the  next  door  was,  foi-sooth),  we  were  there." — 

Cotton.    Voyage  to  Ireland,  c.  2. 

A  diminutive  of  Mai,  Moll,  the  nickname  of  Mary. 


MALLIGO.     Malaga  wine.     Corruption  of  Malaga. 
"And  Malliyo  glasses  fox  thee." — Sd.  Gipsy,  iii.  1. 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  169 

MALMSEY  (Fr,  malvoisie,  formerly  inalvaise,  It.  malvosio, 
Sp.  marvisia).  A  sort  of  grape ;  also  a  strong  and  sweet 
wine. 

"  And  then  throw  him  into  the  malmsey-biitt  in  the  next  room." — Shahs. 

"  I'll  drown  you  in  the  mnlmsey-hutt  within." — Ibid. 

"  That  arrant  malmsey-nose  knave,  Bardolph." — Ibid. 

The  word  is  derived  from  Malvasia  (hodie  Monemvasia),  a 
town  near  Argos,  in  the  Morea,  in  whose  territory  the  grape 
grew.  This  wine  is  now  principally  made  at  Madeira,  and  if 
not  manufactured  in  London,  it  is  simply  because  it  is  not 
in  demand. 

MALPIGHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees  or  shrubs ;  called 
after  Malpighi,  a  naturalist  of  Pisa. 

MALTHUSIAN.  The  political  doctrines  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Robert  Malthus,  F.R.S.,  as  laid  doAvn  in  his  essay 
on  the  Principles  of  Population.  In  this  work  the  learned 
author  advocates  the  anti-connubial  system  ;  a  system  founded 
on  the  supposition  that  population  increases  in  a  geometrical^ 
while  food  only  increases  in  an  arithmetrical,  degree.  Malthus 
was  born  at  Albury,  in  Surrey,  in  1766,  and  died  at  Bath  in 
1835. 

MAMERTINES  (Fr.  Mamertins).  A  band  of  mercenaries, 
who,  uniting  with  the  Sicilians,  seized  upon  Messana  (Messina) 
B.C.  270.  Pressed  by  the  Carthaginians,  they  sought  the  aid 
of  the  Romans  (b.c.  264-265),  and  thus  originated  the  first 
Punic  war.  Some  assert  that  the  Mamertines  were  so  called 
from  Mamers  or  Mars  ;  but  according  to  the  best  authority, 
these  people  derived  their  name  from  Mamerte,  in  ancient 
geogi-aphy  'a  town  of  Sicily,  near  Messina.  Mamers  is  the 
name  of  a  place  in  France  (Sarthe). 

MAMMET.  A  doll,  or  dollish  person  ;  probably  so  called 
from  Mahomet,  to  whom  the  black  dolls  hanging  over  rag- 
shops  bear  a  distant  resemblance.  Mammet  and  jioppet  were 
old  names  for  what  is  now  called  a  Marionette  (*S'.  F.  Cres- 
tvell).  Webster  renders  vumimet,  a  puppet ;  a  figure  dressed. 
Johnson  derives  mammet  from  mum  or  mamma.     Richardson  ren- 


170  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

ders  maivmet,  mammot,  mammet,  anything  set  up  as  an  object  of 
adoration :  a  popet  or  puppet,  a  fondling ;  generally  an  idol, 
a  graven  image ;  from  Mahomet ;  and  mawmetry,  the  religion  of 
Mahomet ;  idolatory  ;  the  worship  of  graven  images. 

"  This  no  is  world  to  play  with  mammets,  and  to  tilt  with  lips." — 

1  Hen.  iv. 

"  And  then  to  haue  a  wretched  puling  foole, 
A  whining  mammet,  in  her  fortune's  tender, 
To  answer,  lie  not  wed,  I  cannot  loue." — R.  &  J. 

"  There  you  shall  find  in  every  corner  a  mmunet ;  at  every  door  a  beggar  ; 
and  in  every  dish  a  priest." — B}^-  Sail.     Ep.  i.  Dec.  1. 

"  In  destruction  of  maumetrie, 
And  in  encrese  of  Cristes  lawe  dere, 
They  ben  accorded  so  as  ye  may  here." 

Chaucer.     The  Man  of  Lawes  Tale,  v.  4656. 

"  An  idolastre  peraventure  ne  hath  not  but  o  maumet  or  two,  and  the 
avaricious  man  hath  many ;  for  certes,  every  fl^orene  in  his  cofFro  is  a  mau- 
met. And  certes,  the  sinne  of  vtnumetrie  is  the  first  that  God  defended  in 
the  ten  commandments,  as  bereth  witnesse  Exod.  c.  .xx.  Thou  shalt  have 
no  false  gods  before  me,  ne  thou  shalt  make  to  thee  no  graven  thing." — 
Id.     The  Persones  Tale. 

"  We  charge  the  prelatical  clergy  with  popery,  to  make  them  odious, 
tho'  we  know  they  are  guilty  of  no  such  things :  just  as  heretofore  they 
call'd  images  mammets,  and  the  adoration  of  images  mamvietry  ;  that  is, 
Mahomet  and  Mahometry ;  odious  names,  when  all  the  world  knows  the 
Turks  are  forbidden  images  by  their  religion."  —  Seldeii.  Table  Talk. 
Popery. 

See  also  Notes  and  Queries,  July  6,  1864,  p.  28  ;  and  Promp. 
Parv.  under  "  Mawmet,"  et  scq. 

MAMMON  (Syr.).     Riches,  wealth. 

"  Mammon  is  liches  or  aboundance  of  goods." 

Tyndall.     Works,  p.  233.  . 

"  Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  yjiammon." — Matt.  vi. 

"  And  of  mavimonaes  money  mad  hym  many  frendes." 

Piers  Ploughman,  p.  170. 

So  called  from  Mammon,  god  of  riches,   the  god  chiefly  wor- 
shipped by  Christians  in  the  present  age  of  progress. 

MAMMONIST.     One  devoted  to  the  acquisition  of  wealth; 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  171 

one  whose  affections  are  placed  supremely  on  riches ;  a  world- 
ling {Hammond).     So  called  from  Mammon,  god  of  riches. 

"  When  I'd  arrive  the  very  top  of  all, 
That  the  mistaken  maniinonists  miscall, 
And  think  their  chiefest  blessings,  health  and  wit." 

Brome.    A  Paraphrase  upon  Ecclesiastes,  c.  i. 

"  The  great  mnminonist  would  say,  he  is  rich  that  can  maintain  an  army." 
— Bp.  Hall.    The  Righteous  Mammon. 

MANCINITE.  A  mineral,  colour  brown ;  from  Mancino, 
near  Leghorn. 

MANDILLIAN.  A  kind  of  garment  worn  temp.  Elizabeth ; 
i.q.  Mandeville,  which  Randal  Holmes  describes  as  "  a  loose 
hanging  garment,"  and  much  like  to  our  jacket  or  jumps,  but 
without  sleeves,  only  having  holes  to  put  the  arms  through  ; 
yet  some  were  made  with  sleeves,  but  for  no  other  use  than  to 
hang  on  the  back  {Planche).  The  word  is  doubtless  derived 
from  either  a  local  name  or  a  local  surname. 

MANDOZY.  A  term  of  endearment ;  probably  named  from 
the  valiant  fighter  Mendoza. — /.  C.  Hotten. 

MANGABEY.  The  precarious  name  of  a  monkey  found 
in  the  territory  of  Mangabey,  near  Madagascar.      See  Buffon. 

MANGANATE,  MANGANESATE.  A  compound  of 
manganesic  acid,  with  a  base.     See  Manganese. 

MANGANESE  (at  first  called  by  Gahn  magnesium).  A 
greyish-white  metal,  found  in  the  ashes  of  plants,  the  bones  of 
animals,  and  in  many  minerals;  very  hard  and  difficult  to  fuse; 
from  Magnesia,  q.v, 

MANGANITE.  One  of  the  ores  of  manganese  {q.v.); 
called  also  manganese  ore. 

MANICHEISM.  The  doctrines  or  system  of  principles  of 
the  Manichees  or  Manicheans,  followers  of  Manes,  a  Persian, 
who  tried  to  combine  the  Oriental  philosophy  with  Christianity, 
and  maintained  that  there  are  two  supreme  principles,  the  one 
good,  the  other  evil,  which  produce  all  the  happiness  and 
calamities  of  the  Avorld.  They  held  the  first  principle,  or  light, 
to  be  the  author  of  all  good ;  the  second,  or  darkness,  the 
author  of  all  evil. 


172 


VERBA    NOMINALIA. 


MANILLA.  A  cigar  from  Manila,  capital  of  Luzon,  and 
of  all  the  Philippine  Isles. 

MANNHEIM  GOLD.  Another  name  for  Dutch  gold  or 
orsedew,  an  inferior  sort  of  gold-leaf,  made  of  copper  and  zinc, 
sometimes  called  leaf-hrass ;  so  named  from  being  principally 
manufactured  at  Mannheim,  on  the  Rhine. 

MANSARD.  In  architecture,  a  roof  Avith  a  double  slope  on 
each  side ;  a  gambrel  roof  (Fr.  mansarde,  a  garret ;  garret- 
window)  ;  so  called  from  its  inventor.  Mansard,  a  French 
architect,  who  died  in  1666. 

MANTON.  A  celebrated  gun  manufactured  by  the  late 
Joseph  Man  ton. 

MANUS  CHRISTL  Refined  sugar,  so  boiled  as  to  make 
a  cordial  for  weak  persons. — Crahh. 

MANX.  A  term  applied  to  the  ancient  language  of  the 
Isle  of  Man  ;   whence  its  name. 

MAPPIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  species  of  which  is 
the  M.  guianensis,  a  shrub,  native  of  Guiana ;  named  after 
Marcus  Mappus,  professor  of  medicine  at  Strasburg,  author  of 
Catal.  Plantarum  Horti  Acad.  Argentinensis,  1691 ;  Hist.  Plant, 
Alsaticarum,  a  posthumous  work  by  Ehi'mann,  1742. 

MARANTA.  A  genus  of  perennial  tropical  plants,  from 
the  roots  of  one  species  of  which  (J7.  arundinacea)  is  priucijjally 
obtained  the  aiTowroot  of  commerce,  which  species  is  much 
cultivated  in  the  gardens  and  provision  grounds  of  the  West 
Indies  ;  named  by  Plumier  in  memory  of  Bartholomeo  Maranta, 
a  Venetian  physician,  who  lived  towards  the  middle  of  the  six- 
teenth century,  and  was  one  of  the  chief  Italian  botanists  of 
his  time. 

MARAUDER.  A  rover  in  quest  of  booty  or  plunder;  a 
plunderer  ;  usually  applied  to  small  parties  of  soldiers.  To  go 
in  a  marauding  party  is  to  go  in  search  of  pillage  or  plunder . 

"  Some  place  decoys,  nor  will  they  not  avail, 
Replete  with  roasted  crabs ;  in  every  grove 
These  fell  jnarcmders  gnaw." 

Grainger.    Sugar  Cane,  b.  ii. 

Some  derive  the  word  from  the  Fr.  niaraud,  a  rascal ;   from  Gr. 
fj.iapo§,  stained,   contaminated,   infamous.     Webster  gives  the 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  173 

Fr.  maratul,  tlie  Ethiopic  marnda,  to  hurry,  to  run ;  the  Ileb. 
•]nn  {marad),  to  rebel ;  the  Dan.  marodei',  a  robber  in  war,  a 
corsair.  The  Heb.  marad  signifies  to  be  disobedient,  perverse, 
rebel,  fall  away  from  one's  allegiance;  the  Arab,  marada, 
to  be  obstinate,  stubborn,  contumacious,  wilful.  Richardson 
seems  to  think  the  word  may  be  from  the  verb  to  mar.  Menage 
notices  the  derivation  from  a  Count  Merodes,  who  commanded 
in  the  armies  of  Ferdinand  II.,  but  Duchat  shows  that  the 
word  existed  long  before.  A  correspondent  of  Notes  and 
Queries  says,  "  On  the  old  carriage  road  from  Achen  to 
Cologne,  not  many  miles  from  Achen,  is  an  extensive  wood,  in 
which  is  a  fine  old  chateau  called  Merode.  It  was  formerly 
quite  concealed  from  the  road  by  the  thick  wood,  or  perhaps, 
more  correctly  speaking,  forest.  It  had  the  reputation  of  pos- 
sessing a  brigand  for  its  owner.  The  persons  who  made  expe- 
ditions with  the  owner  from  this  chateau  were  called  Ileroder^s, 
and  were  marauders." 

MARAVEDI.  In  Spain,  a  small  copper  coin  less  than  a 
farthing  sterling.  It  is  now  a  fictitious  money,  of  which  2 
form  an  ochavo,  and  34  a  real.  The  word  is  derived 
from  the  Arab,  mardbateen,  literally  money  of  the  tyrants 
Alraoravides,  a  family  of  Mussulman  princes  (five  in  number, 
of  whom  Abubekr,  son  of  Omar,  was  the  first)  who  reigned  in 
Africa  and  Spain  in  the  eleventh,  twelfth,  and  thirteenth  cen- 
turies, and  who  were  so  called  from  Arab,  almoraheth,  signifying 
"  champion  of  religion."  "  Mot  par  lequel  les  Espagnols  de- 
signaient  une  petite  monnaie.de  cuivre  qui  vaut  un  centime  et 
demi.  C'est  aujourd'hui  une  monnaie  fictive  dont  deux  ferment 
un  ochavo,  et  34  un  real.  La  plus  ancienne  mention  qui  soit 
faite  des  maravedis  dans  I'histoire  d'Espagne  est  sous  Alphonse, 
lors  de  la  bataille  de  Las  Navas.  On  trouve  dans  les  lois  Es- 
pagnoles  des  maravedis  de  differentes  especes  (de  Almoravide)." 

MARCELINE.  A  mineral,  colour  greenish-black ;  so 
named  from  being  found  near  Saint  Marcel,  in  Piedmont. 

MARCELLIANISM.  The  doctrines  and  opinions  of  the 
Marcellians,  a  sect  towards  the  close  of  the  second  century ;  so 
called  from  Marcellus  of  Ancyra,  their  leader,  who  was  accused 
of  reviving  the  errors  of  Sal^ellius.     Some,  however,  are  of 


174  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

opinion  that  Marcellus  was  orthodox,  and  that  it  was  his 
enemies,  the  Arians,  who  fathered  their  errors  upon  him. — 
Chambers's  Cyc. 

MARCETIA.  A  genus  of  Brazilian  shrubs ;  named  in 
honour  of  M.  Marcet,  a  friend  of  De  Candolle. 

MARCH  (L.  Martins).  The  third  month  of  the  year, 
according  to  modern  computation.  The  Roman  year  originally 
began  with  this  month.  Romulus  named  it  Martius  in  honour 
of  his  father,  Mars,  god  of  war.  *'  March  is  drawn  in  tawny, 
with  a  fierce  aspect,  and  a  helmet  upon  his  head,  to  show  this 
month  was  dedicated  to  Mars  "  (Peacham). 

MARCHIONESS.  A  maid  of  all  work ;  a  title  now  in 
regular  use,  but  derived  from  the  nickname  of  a  character  in 
Charles  Dickens's  Old  Curiosity  Shop. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

MARCOBRUNNER.  A  celebrated  Rhine  wine,  posses- 
sing much  body  and  aroma,  from  Markobrunn. 

MARE  (A.  S.  mara,  G-.  mar,  D.  maere,  Sw.  mara,  incubus, 
D.  nacht-merrie,  Gr.  nachtmar').  The  morbid  oppression  in  sleep 
otherwise  called  incubus.  "  The  word  is  now  only  used  in  the 
compound 7iightma7'e,  which  ought  to  be  written  nightmar  "  (Web- 
ster). "  Mushrooms  cause  the  incubus,  or  the  mare  in  the  sto- 
mach "  (Bacon's  Nat.  Hist,).  The  word  is  said  to  be  derived 
from  Mara,  in  Northern  mythology,  a  spirit  that  oppressed 
persons  in  sleep.  ^'Ma7'a,  from  whence  our  nightmare  is  derived, 
was,  in  the  Runic  theology,  a  spirit  or  spectre  of  the  night, 
which  seized  men  in  their  sleep,  and  suddenly  deprived  them 
of  speech  and  motion"  (Warton,  Higt.Eng.  Poetry,  vol.  i.  diss.  1). 

"  Mab,  his  merry  queen,  by  night 
Bestrides  young  folks  that  be  upright, 
In  elder  times  the  inare  that  hight, 
Which  plagues  them  out  of  measure." — Drayton. 

MARENGO.  In  Piedmont,  an  appellation  for  the  twenty 
franc  gold  piece ;  doubtless  named  from  Marengo,  province 
Alessandria. 

MARGARET  or  MAGDALEN.     An  apple  so  named. 

MARGARET  (QUEEN)  or  CHINESE  STAR.  A  plant 
(Beine  Marguerite). 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  175 

MARIBOUS.  In  a  deed  of  John  Arundell,  Esq.,  of  Lan- 
herne,  Cornwall,  dated  25  Jannary,  1632,  appointing  John 
Dale,  his  baylifF  foi'  the  Manor  of  Connerton  and  Hundred  of 
Penwith,  Cornwall,  said  John  Dale  is  ordered  to  collect  "  Ale 
Silver,  Smoke  Silver,  Tything-money.  Maribous-money,  and 
Maribous  of  themselves."  In  a  deputation  (10  April,  1648) 
the  word  is  written  Mariboues  or  Maribones,  the  letters  u  and 
n  in  all  old  deeds  being  commonly  written  exactly  alike.  This 
word  may  be  the  same  with  maraboutin,  of  which  Bescherelle 
says,  "  Monnaie  d'or  qui  eut  cours  dans  le  moyen  age  en 
Espagne,  en.  Portugal,  en  Languedoc.  De  graves  discussions 
s'^leverent  au  commencement  du  XVIII''  siecle  au  sujet  de 
ce  mot ;  mais  aucun  d'eux  ne  parait  avoir  devine  la  veritable 
Etymologic  du  nom  de  cette  monnaie,  qui  doit  avoir  ete  intro- 
duite  ou  frappee  dans  la  Peninsule,  sous  la  denomination  des 
Morabethoun  ou  Almoravides." 

MARIENGROSCHE.  A  coin  of  Hamburg,  equal  to 
about  a  penny ;  so  named  from  Marie,  and  G-.  groschen. 

MARIGOLD  {Mary  and  gold;  Caltha,  Lat.)  A  yellow 
flower,  devoted,  I  suppose,  to  the  Virgin  (Johnson)  ;  "  q.d. 
aurum  Mariw,  a  colore  floris  luteo ;  from  the  yellow  colour  of 
the  flower  "  (Skintier). 

"  Absence  hath  robb'd  thee  of  thy  wealth  and  pleasure, 
And  I  remain,  like  marigold,  of  sun 
Deprlv'd,  that  dies  by  shadow  of  some  mountain." 

Druminond.     Son.  C4,  pt.  i. 

MARIOLA.  In  ancient  writers,  a  shrine  or  image  of  the 
Virgin  Mary  {Bailey).  Hie  quoque  fere  i^erficit pulclwam  Mario- 
lam  cum  pertinentiis.  Mat.  Paris  in  Vitis  Abbatum  S.  Albani. 
In  australi  ecclesice  parte,  juxta  nohilem  Mariolam,  ibid  (Coivel). 

MARIOLATRY.  A  term  used  to  denote  the  worship  of 
the  Virgin  Mary  by  Roman  Catholics  {Xar^svuj,  to  worship). 

MARIONETTES.  Puppets  moved  by  springs.  Menage 
renders  the  word  "■  petites  Jilles ;  en  prenant  I'espece  pour  le 
genre  :  comme  qui  diroit,  petites  Marions  "  {Marion  being  itself 
a  diminutive  of  Marie).  Bouillet  (Diet,  des  Sciences,  &c., 
Paris,   1854)  derives  the  name  from  Marion,  an  Italian,  who 


176  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

introduced  the  marionettes  into  France  under  Charles  IX.  The 
Greeks  knew  marionettes  under  the  name  of  neuros^msta,  and 
the  Romans  under  that  of  imagunculcB,  simulacra,  oscilla.  The 
Italians,  who  are  very  great  amateurs  in  marionettes,  call  them 
pupiji  and  fantoccini.  M.  Ch.  Magnin  published  in  1852  a 
curious  "  Histoire  des  Marionnettes." 

MARMATITE.  A  black  mineral,  consisting  of  the  sul- 
phurets  of  zinc  and  iron ;  so  named  fi'om  being  found  at 
Candado  and  Salto,  near  Marmato,  in  New  Granada. 

MARONEAN  ( Vinum  Maroneum).  Among  the  Greeks,  a 
wine  said  to  have  been  grown  on  the  side  of  Ismarus,  a  hill  or 
promontory  of  Thrace  ;  doubtless  near  the  town  of  Maronea ; 
probably  so  named  from  Maro  or  Maron,  a  king  of  Thrace  and 
priest  of  Apollo,  who  gave  Ulysses  the  excellent  wine  that 
would  bear  twenty  times  as  much  water,  and  with  which  he 
intoxicated  Polyphemus.  See  Horn.  Od.  i.  197,  seq. ;  Pliny, 
H.  N.  X.  iv.  4. 

MARRIOTTE'S  LAW.  In  pneumatics,  a  general  pro- 
perty of  elastic  fluids,  that  the  pressure  is  directly  proportional 
to  the  density  ;  discovered  by  Marriotte,  an  eminent  French 
philosopher,  native  of  Burgundy,  who  flourished  about  the 
middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  w^as  author  of  several 
important  works. 

MARRUBIUM.  Horehouud,  a  genus  of  plants.  Some 
derive  the  word  from  the  Heb.  marrob,  a  bitter  juice,  on 
account  of  its  taste.  According  to  others,  it  was  so  called  by 
the  ancients  from  having  been  originally  found  near  Marruhium, 
a  town  of  the  Marsyans  in  Italy,  eastward  of  Lake  Fucinus. 

MARRY  (properly  3Iart/).     A  vulgar  oath. 

"  Ye  ?  quod  the  preest,  ye,  sire,  and  wol  ye  so? 
Mary  thereof  I  pray  you  hertily." — Chauc. 

A  corruption  of  Bj/  Mary  (^Tyrivliitt)  or  By  Holy  Mary — 

"By  Holy  Mary  (Butts),  there's  knavery, 
Let  'em  alone,  and  draw  the  curtaine  close." — Shaks. 

MARS.  One  of  the  seven  primary  planets,  remarkable  for 
the  red  colour  of  his  light ;  named  after  Mars,  god  of  war. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  177 

In  heraldry,  another  name  for  gules  or  red. An  old 

mythological  designation  of  several  preparations  of  iron. 

MARSALA.  A  wine  made  at  Marsala,  a  seaport  of 
Sicily.  The  Marsala  wines  only  came  into  repute  since  1802, 
when  Lord  Nelson  introduced  them  for  the  use  of  the  British 
fleet.  The  district  is  estimated  to  yield  annually  about  30,000 
pipes  of  wine,  of  which  two-thirds  are  exported.  There  are 
at  Marsala  six  establishments,  four  British  and  two  Sicilian. 
Three  of  the  British  are  on  a  large  scale. 

MARSDENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  New  Hol- 
land; named  in  honour  of  William  Marsdeu,  Esq.,  F.R.S., 
late  secretary  to  the  Admiralty,  author  of  a  History  of  Su- 
matra, and  of  a  Dictionary  of  the  Malayan  Language. 

MARSEILLAISE.  A  patriotic  and  warlike  hymn,  the 
words  and  music  of  which  were  composed  at  Strasbourg,  in 
1792,  by  Rouget  de  Lisle,  an  officer  in  the  army.  It  had  been 
written  for  the  army  of  the  Rhine,  and  on  that  account  re- 
ceived from  its  author  the  title  of  "  Le  chant  de  guerre  de  I'armee 
du  Rhin,"  but  shortly  afterwards,  the  Marseillais,  who  in  1792 
came  to  Paris  to  demand  the  abolition  of  royalty,  and  who 
took  part  in  the  attack  on  the  Tuileries,  made  it  known  in 
the  capital,  when  it  was  baptised  by  the  name  of  the  Mar- 
seillaise, or  Hymne  des  Marseillais,  the  only  appellation  by 
which  it  is  now  known. 

MARSELLA.  A  twilled  linen,  probably  from  Marseilles, 
which  is  also  noted,  amongst  other  articles,  for  its  elegant 
quilts. 

MARTELLO.  A  sort  of  tower  or  fortification  adapted  to 
the  defence  of  sea-coasts ;  so  named  from  Martello,  a  Corsican 
engineer,  the  first  inventor.  Hence  our  Martello  towers, 
circular  buildings  of  masonry  erected  along  parts  of  the 
British  coasts  as  a  defence  against  the  meditated  invasion  of 
Bonaparte. 

MARTEN  or  MARTERNE.  A  carnivorous  animal  allied 
to  the  weasel,  whose  fur  is  used  in  making  hats  and  muffs. 
"  L.  martes,  a  name  that  seems  to  come  a  Marte,  because  it 
destroys  poultry  and  other  birds  ;  Vi  martia  (Vossius  and 
Gresner)." — Richardson. 

N 


178  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

MARTIAL.  Pertaining  to  war,  united  to  war,  as  martial 
equipage,  martial  music,  martial  appearance  ;  so   called  from 

Mars  (gen.  Martis),  god  of  war. Warlike,  brave,  given  to 

war,   as  a  martial  nation  or  people. Suited  to  battle,  as  a 

martial  array. Belonging  to  war,  or  to  an  army  and  navy ; 

opposed  to  civil,  as  martial  law ;  a  court-martial. Per- 
taining to  Mars,  or  borrowing  the  properties  of  that  planet. 
Pertaining  to  iron,  called  by  the  old  alchemists  Mars. 

MARTIAL.  A  pear ;  in  some  parts  called  Angelic  Pear 
{Poire  Angelique),  and  in  the  South  of  France  Poire  Douce. 

MARTIALISM.     Bravery;  martial  exercises.     See  Mak- 

TIAL.    {obs.) 

MARTIN,  MARTINET,    or  MARTLET    (Fr.   martinet, 

Sp.  martinete).     A  bird  of  the  swallow  kind,  which  forms  its 

nest  in   buildings.     The  Germans  call  it  mauer-schwalbe,  wall 

swallow,  and  Webster  seems  to  think,  therefore,  that  the  word 

may  have  been  formed  from  the  root  of  L.  miiru,s  (W.  mur),  a 

wall  : 

"  But,  like  the  martlet, 
Builds  in  the  weather  on  the  outward  wall, 
Euen  in  the  force  and  rode  of  casualtie." — Shaks. 

Miushew  thinks — with  more  ingenuity  than  truth,  says 
Skinner — "  that  these  birds  are  so  called  because  they  come 
here  about  the  end  of  March,  and  leave  us  about  the  feast  of 
St.  Martin." 

MARTIN.  The  Lord  Martin  (Martin  Sire)  ;  a  pear  so 
named  ;  called  also  Hocrenaille  and  Ronoille. 

MARTINET.  In  military  language,  a  strict  disciplinarian, 
or  rather  one  who  is  stupidly  fussy  about  trifles,  derived  from 
Col.  Martinet,  an  officer  of'the  French  infantry. 

MARTIN  GAL,  MARTINGALE  (Fr.  martingale,  It.  and 
Sp.  martingala).  A  strap  or  thong  fastened  to  the  girth 
under  a  horse's  belly,  and  at  the  other  end  of  the  musrole, 
passing  between  the  fore  legs. 

"  Lord  what  a  hunting  head  she  carries ;  sure  she  has  been  ridden  with 
a  martingale. — Beaum.  §*  F. 

According  to  Berenger  (Hist,  and  Art  of  Horsemanship,  c. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  179 

10),  it  was  invented  by  Evangelista,  an  eminent  horseman  of 
Milan.  The  primary  signification  of  the  French  word  is 
rendered  "  Culottes  dont  le  pent  etait  place  par  derriere." 
The  martingale  breeches  are  said  to  have  been  so  called  from 
the  Martegaux,  a  people  of  Provence,  who  first  wore  them. 
They  were  still  in  fashion  at  the  French  court  in  1579.  See 
Beza,  H.  Stephens,  Manage  Diet.  Nat. ;  Dial,  du  Nouv.  Lang. 

Fr.  Ital.   p.   210  ;  and  Rabelais,  liv.  i.  ch.  20. In  ships  a 

short  perpendicular  spar,  under  the  bowsprit  end,  used  for 

reeving  the  stays. Technical  name  of  a  system  employed 

by  gamblers,  as  they  imagine,  to  make  success  certain.     It 
consists  in  doubling  the  stake  every  time  you  lose. 

MARTINMAS.  The  mass  or  feast  of  St.  Martin,  the 
11th  of  November. 

MARTYNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Pedaliacece ; 
named  after  Professor  Martyn. 

MARYLAND.  One  of  the  principal  kinds  of  tobacco  im- 
ported into  England ;  from  Maryland,  in  the  United  States. 

MASCAGNIN  (mas-kan'-i/m).  Native  sulphate  of  am- 
monia, found  in  volcanic  districts ;  named  after  Mascagni,  who 
first  discovered  it. 

MASDEU.  A  red  wine,  doubtless  from  Masdeu,  France, 
dep.  Pyrenees-Orientales  (Roussillon).  Mas-dieu  is  the  name 
of  a  village,  dep.  Gard  (Languedoc). 

MASONITE.  A  mineral,  colour  blackish-green,  found 
near  Katharinenburg,  in  Siberia,  and  in  Rhode  Island  ;  named 
after  Mason. 

MASORETIC,  MASORETICAL.  Relating  to  the  Maso- 
rites,  inventors  of  the  Hebrew  vowel  points  and  accents. 
They  adhered  to  the  traditionary  readings  of  the  Scriptures, 
and  were  authors  of  the  Masora,  a  Jewish  critical  work  on  the 
text  of  the  Hebrew  Scriptures,  written  in  the  eighth  and 
ninth  centuries.  The  word  masora  signifies  tradition,  from 
IDD,  to  deliver. 

MASSONIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  four  species,  natives 
of  the  Cape ;  named  by  Thunberg  after  Francis  Masson, 
author  of  Stapeliae  Novae,  who,  in  company  with  Thunberg, 
found  these  plants. 

N    2 


180  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

MATARO.     A  wine  from  Mataro,  in  Catalonia. 

MATLOCKITE.  A  mineral  of  a  yellowish  colour,  with 
sometimes  a  greenish  tinge,  found  in  the  Cromford  Level, 
near  Matlock,  county  Derby. 

MATTHIOLA.  A  tree,  a  species  of  Guettarda,  a  native 
of  America;  named  by  Plumier  after  Pietro  Andrea  Matthio- 
lus,  the  celebrated  botanist  and  commentator  on  Dioscorides. 

MATUSCHK^A.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one 
species,  a  native  of  Guiana ;  named  after  Count  Matuschka, 
author  of  Flora  Silesiaca. 

MAUD.  A  grey  woollen  shepherd's  plaid,  something 
between  a  shawl  and  a  railway  rug.  The  word  occurs  in  Guy 
Manuering.  It  was  probably  named  after  one  of  the  royal 
family  of  England  or  Scotland,  perhaps  Matilda  or  Maud, 
daughter  of  Malcolm,  King  of  Scots,  and  first  wife  of 
Henry  I.  ;  or  Henry's  daughter,  the  Empress  Matilda  ;  or 
Matilda,  who  married  Stephen,  grandson  of  William  the 
Conqueror. 

MAUDLIN.  Sentimental ;  drunk  ;  fuddled  ;  approaching 
to  intoxication  ;  stupid. 

"  And  the  maudlin  crowd  melts  in  her  praise." — Southern. 

"She  largely,  what  she  wants  in  words,  supplies 
With  maudlin  eloquence  of  trickling  eyes." — Roscommon. 

The  word  is  corrupted  from  Magdalen,  from  a  ludicrous 
resemblance  to  the  picture  of  St.  Mary  Magdalene,  who  is 
drawn  by  painters  with  eyes  swelled  and  red  with  weeping. 

A  reformed  prostitute. (Sweet)  A  jslant  of  the  genus 

Achillea,  allied  to  milfoil. 

MAUMETRY.     See  Mammet. 

MAURANDIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  evergreen  climbing 
herbs ;  named  by  Dr.  Ortega  in  honour  of  the  wife  of  Dr. 
Maurandy,  professor  of  botany  at  Carthagena. 

MAURI  A.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  nat.  or.  Terebtnthacece  ; 
natives  of  Peru  ;  named  in  honour  of  Antonio  Mauri. 

MAURITIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Hexandria ;  natives 
of  Surinam ;  named  in  honour  of  Prince  Maurice  of  Nas- 
sau. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  181 

MAUSOLEUM.  A  magnificent  tomb,  or  stately  sepul- 
chral monument ;  so  called  from  Mausolus,  king  of  Caria,  a 
pi-ovince  of  Asia  Minor,  to  whom  Artemisia,  his  widow, 
raised  a  superb  monument.  This  building,  erected  B.C.  352, 
was  esteemed  one  of  the  seven  wonders  of  the  world.  Ac- 
cording to  Pliny,  it  was  111  feet  in  circumference,  and  140 
feet  high,  and  it  is  said  to  have  been  encompassed  by  thirty- 
six  columns,  and  greatly  enriched  with  sculpture.  "  Arte- 
misia was  renowned  in  history  for  her  extraordinary  grief 
at  the  death  of  her  husband  Mausolus.  She  is  said  to  have 
mi*ed  his  ashes  in  her  daily  drink,  and  to  have  gradually 
died  away  in  grief  during  the  two  years  that  she  survived 
him.  She  induced  the  most  eminent  Greek  rhetoricians 
to  proclaim  his  jiraise  in  their  oratory,  and  to  j^erpetuate 
his  memory  she  built  at  Halicarnassus  the  celebrated  monu- 
ment Mausoleum,  which  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  seven 
wonders  of  the  world,  and  whose  name  subsequently  became 
the  generic  term  for  any  splendid  sepulchral  monument "  (Cic. 
Tusc.  iii.  31  ;  Strabo  xiv.  p.  656  ;  Gellius  x.  18  ;  Plin.  H.  N. 
XXV.  36,  xxxvi.  4,  9  ;  Val.  Max.  iv.  6,  ext.  1  ;  Suid.  Harpocr, 
s.  vv.  AprsjaicTia  and  MocvtrcuXo;).  Another  celebrated  monu- 
ment was  erected  by  her  in  the  island  of  Rhodes,  to  com- 
memorate her  success  in  making  hei'self  mistress  of  the 
island.  The  Rhodians,  after  recovering  their  liberty,  made  it 
inaccessible,  whence  it  was  called  in  later  times  the  AfSarov 
(Vitruv.  ii.  8).     See  Dr.  W.  Smith's  Diet. 

"  Some  (great  princes)  have  amused  the  dull,  sad  years  of  life, 
(Life  spent  in  indolence,  and  therefore  sad) 
With  schemes  of  monumental  fame  ;  and  sought 
By  pyramids  and  mausolean  pomp, 
Short  liv'd  themselves,  t'  immortalise  their  bones." 

Coioper.     Task,  b.  5. 

"The  whole  chapel  called  by  his  (Henry  VII.)  name,  is  properly 
but  his  mausoleum,  he  building  it  solely  for  the  burial-place  of 
himself  and  the  royal  family,  and  accordingly  ordering  by  his 
will  that  no  person  should  be  interred  there."  Dart.  Antiq. 
Westm.  Abbey,  vol.  I.  p.  32.  See  also  Holland,  Plinie,  b. 
xxxvi.  c.  5. 


182  VEKBA    NOMINALIA. 

MAWMETRY  or  MAUMETRY.     See  Mammet. 
MAWWORM.     A  hypocrite  ;  so  named  from  a  character 
in  Gibber's  play  of  the  Hypocrite. 

"Ah,  do  despise  me ;  I'm  the  prouder  for  it ;  I  likes  to  be  despised." 

MAX  D'OR  or  MAXIMILIAN.  A  gold  coin  of  Bavaria, 
equal  to  13s.  7^d.  ;  doubtless  named  after  the  Emperor 
Maximilian. 

MAY  (L.  Mains,  Fr.  Mai,  It.  Maggio,  Sp.  Mayo).  The 
fifth  month  of  the  year  beginning  with  January,  but  the 
third  beginning  with  March,  as  was  the  ancient  practice  of 
the  Romans.  Some  derive  "  Maius  a  majoribus,  like  Junius  a 
junioribus."  Bailey  says,  "  Maius  from  majores,  so  called  by 
Romulus  in  respect  of  the  senators."  Festus  derives  the 
word  from  Maia,  mother  of  Mercury,  to  Avhom  this  month  was 

made    sacred. To   celebrate  the    1st  of   May    with    rural 

sports. 

MAY-DUKE.  The  popular  and  most  universally  culti- 
vated cherry,  thriving  well  in  nearly  all  countries,  situations, 
and  soils.  The  name  is  said  to  be  a  corruption  of  Medoc,  a 
district  in  the  south  of  France,  where  this  variety  (the  type 
of  all  the  class  now  called  dukes)  is  said  to  have  originated. 
Charles  Mcintosh's  Book  of  the  Garden,  ii.  542. 

MAZARINE.  Formerly  a  hood  made  after  the  fashion  of 
that  worn  by  the  Duchess  of  Mazarin. — Bailey. 

MAZARINE.  A  deep  blue  colour  ;  probably  named  after 
Cardinal  Mazarin,  regent  of  France   during  the  minority  of 

Louis  XIV. A  particular  way  of  dressing  fowls   (in   Fr. 

a  la  Mazarine). Formerly  a  little   dish  to  be    set  in  the 

middle  of  a  large  one. Formerly  a  sort  of  small  tart  filled 

with  sweetmeats. 

MEANDER.  A  winding  course  ;  a  winding  or  turning  in 
a  passage,  as  the  meanders  of  the  veins  and  arteries  {Hale). 

"  While  lingering  rivers  in  meanders  glide." — Blackmore. 

So   named  from  Meander,  a   tortuous  river  of  Phrygia. 

A  maze  ;  a  labyrinth  ;  perplexity,  as  the  meanders  of  the  law 
(Arbuthnot). To  wind,   to   turn,   to  flow  round;    to  make 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  183 

flexuous  ;   to  wind  or  turn  in  a  course  or  passage  ;  to  be  in- 
tricate.  A  fretwork  in  arched  roofs  (found  mccander'). 

MEANDRINA.  A  genus  of  corals  with  meandering  cells, 
as  the  braiu-stone  coral. — Mantell.     See  Meander. 

MEC^ENATIANUM.  In  ancient  Italy,  a  rare  wine,  of 
exquisite  flavour,  introduced  at  his  table  by  Mecaenas,  the 
friend  of  Augustus,  Virgil,  and  Horace. 

MECHLIN.  A  species  of  beautiful  and  durable  lace  made 
at  Mechlin  (Malines),  in  Belgium.  It  is  now  nearly  super- 
seded by  the  manufacture  of  tulles,  and  only  a  very  small 
quantity  is  made. 

MECHOACAN  {mechoacanna) .  White  jalap,  the  root  of 
an  American  species  of  convolvulus,  from  Mechoacan,  in 
Mexico  ;  a  purgative  of  slow  operation,  but  safe. — Encyc. 

MEDICA.  A  sort  of  trefoil  ;  from  Media,  its  native  soil. 
— Forsyth.     But  see  Medicago. 

MEDICAGO,  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Leguminosce ; 
from  Medike,  the  name  given  by  Discorides  to  a  Median  grass. 

MEDIN,  MEDINO.  A  coin  and  money  of  account  in 
Egypt.  According  to  Kelly,  at  Cairo  forty  Medini  are  equal 
to  Is.  7jf/.     It  was  probably  first  coined  at  Medina. 

MEDINENSIS  VENA.  The  muscular  worm,  which  in 
some  countries  inhabits  the  cellular  membrane  between  the 
skin  and-muscles  ;  the  guinea  worm.  "  So  called  because  it  is 
frequent  in  Medina,  and  improperly  called  vena  for  vermis; 
and  sometimes  nervus  Iledinensis.'"     Hooper,  Lex.  Med. 

MEDJIDITE,  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  sulphate,  occurring 
near  Adrianople,  Turkey;  also  at  Joachimsthal,  in  Germany  ; 
named  in  honour  of  Sultan  Abdul  Medjid. 

MEDOC.  A  celebrated  red  wine  produced  at  M^doc,  an 
ancient  district  of  France,  prov.  Guienne,  now  comprised  in 
dep.  Gironde. A  kind  of  shining  pebble. 

MEDUSA.     A  tree  from  Cochin  China.     See  Medusa. 

MEDUS-iE.  A  genus  of  gelatinous  radiate  animals  called 
sea-nettles ;  so  named  because  their  organs  of  motion  spread 
out  like  the  snaky  hair  of  Medusa. 

MEDUSIDANS.  Gelatinous  radiate  animals,  which  float 
or  swim  in  the  sea,  of  which  Medusse  is  the  genus.  See 
Medusa. 


184  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

MEIBOMIAN  or  MEIBOMIUS'S  GLANDS  {ciUarrj 
follicles).  The  small  glands  lying  under  the  inner  membrane 
of  the  eyelid,  first  described  by  Henry  Meibomius,  an  emi- 
nent professor  of  medicine,  who  was  born  at  Liibeck  in  1638. 
Hooper,  Lex.  Med. 

MELAMPODIUM.  Black  hellibore  ;  from  Melampus, 
the  shepherd  who  first  used  it  {Forsyth).  But  qy.  from  Gr. 
fj.eXa.iJ.iroSiov,  blackfoot. 

MELEAGRIS.  The  guinea-fowl,  a  genus  of  birds  of  the 
or.    Gallince ;    so   called   f>om    Meleager,  whose   sisters  were 

turned  into  this  bird. A  bulbous  plant,  a  species  of  fritil- 

laria  or  crown  imperial;  so  called  because  its  flowers  are  spotted 
like  a  guinea-fowl. 

MEMBRANA  RUYSCHIANA.  "  Ruysch  discovered 
that  the  choroid  membrane  of  the  eye  was  composed 
of  two  laminae.  He  gave  the  name  of  Membrana  RuyscMana 
to  the  internal  lamina,  leaving  the  old  name  of  choroides  to 
the  external." — Forsyth. 

MEMPHIAN.  Pertaining  to  Memphis;  very  dark;  a 
sense  borrowed  from  the  darkness  of  Egypt  in  the  time  of 
Moses ;  from  Memphis,  the  ancient  metropolis  of  Egypt. 
"  Qy.  from  some  oracle,  or  covered  labyrinth  at  Memphis " 
{S.  F.  C). 

MENACHANITE.  One  of  the  ores  of  titanium,  a  metal, 
colour  deep  blue,  discovered  by  Gregor  in  1791  in  the  bed  of  a 
rivulet  which  flows  into  the  valley  of  Menacan,  in  Cornwall. 
Other  ores  of  this  metal  are  called  Iserine,  from  the  river 
Iser,  in  Silesia  ;  Nigrine,  from  its  black  colour  ;  Spene, 
Rutile,  and  Octahedrite. 

MENDIPITE.  A  mineral ;  yellowish-white,  straw-yellow, 
pale  red,  pale  blue ;  found  with  ores  of  lead,  calcite, 
and  earthy  black  manganese,  at  Churchill,  in  the  Mendip  Hills, 
in  Somersetshire,  and  at  Brilon,  in  Westphalia. 

MENEGHINITE.  A  mineral  in  compact  fibrous  forms  ; 
from  Bottino,  in  Tuscany,  where  it  was  obtained,  along  with 
Boulangerite  and  Jamesonite,  by  Professor  Meneghini. 

MENILITE.  A  brown  impure  opal,  occurring  in  flattened 
nodular  concretions  at  Menil  Montant,  near  Paris. — Dana. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  185 

MENTOR.  A  wise  and  faithful  counsellor  or  monitor  ;  so 
called  from  Mentor,  counsellor  of  Telemachus. 

MENTZELIA.  A  genus  of  annual  plants,  natives  of  South 
America ;  named  by  Plumier  in  honour  of  Dr.  Christian 
Mentzel,  a  German  botanical  writer,  and  councillor  and  phy- 
sician to  the  Elector  of  Brandenburg. 

MEMNON.  A  celebrated  statue  (of  which  there  is  a  copy 
in  the  British  Museum)  which  stood  near  Thebes  in  Egypt, 
and  which  was  said  to  have  the  property  of  emitting  a  sound 
like  the  snapping  asunder  of  a  musical  string,  as  the  first 
beams  of  sunrise  fell  upon  it ;  named,  as  Mannert  thinks,  after 
Memnon,  a  celebrated  architect  of  Syene  ;  but  according  to 
Champollion,  after  Memnon,  whom  he  identifies  with  Ameno- 
phis  II.  Champollion,  indeed,  makes  the  inscription  on  the 
base  of  the  statue  equivalent  to  Amenoph  (A[ji.svcu^).  But  see 
Lempriere. 

MEMNONIDES  or  MEMNONIANS.  Certain  birds  which 
are  said  to  have  arisen  from  the  ashes  of  Memnon  (a  king  of 
Ethiopia,  son  of  Tithonus  and  Aurora),  who  was  killed  at  the 
siege  of  Troy,  and  which  birds  came  every  year  to  visit  his 
tomb  upon  the  banks  of  the  Hellespont.  But  see  Lempriere, 
under  "  Memnon." 

MENZIESIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  mostly  natives 
of  North  America ;  named  in  honour  of  Archibald  Menzies, 
F.L.S.,  who  made  a  voyage  round  the  world  with  Vancouver, 
and  collected  many  rare  plants  in  New  Holland  and  North 
America. 

MEPHISTOPHELIAN.  Diabolical,  sardonic,  like  to 
Mephistopheles,  one  of  the  principal  characters  in  Goethe's 
Faust,  the  subject  of  which  was  suggested  by  the  tale  of  Dr. 
Faustus,  where,  however,  the  name  under  which  the  devil 
appears  is  Mephostopheles,  supposed  to  be  for  Neplwstopheles, 
from  v£'i;>og  a  cloud,  (pjAea;  to  love. 

MERCATOR'S  CHART.  A  chart  constructed  on  the 
principle  projected  by  Mercator,  a  Flemish  geographer.  In 
this  chart  the  degrees  upon  the  meridian  increase  towards  the 
poles  in  tlie  same  pro[)ortion  as  the  parallel  circles  decrease 
towards  them. 


186  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

MERCURIAL.  Formed  under  the  influence  of  the  god 
Mercury ;  active,  sprightly,  full  of  fire  or  vigour ;  as,  a  mer- 
curial youth,  a  mercurial  nation. Pertaining  to  Mercury,  as 

god  of  trade;  hence  money-making,  crafty. Pertaining  to  or 

containing  quicksilver,  or  consisting  of  mercury  ;  as,  mercurial 
preparations  or  medicines. 

MERCURIALIS.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Euphorbiacece  ; 
called  after  Mercury,  its  fabled  discoverer. 

MERCURIALIST.  One  under  the  influence  of  the  god 
Mercury,  or  one  resembling  him  in  variety  of  character. 

MERCURY.     The  smallest  of  the  inferior  planets  ;  named 

after  Mercury,   messenger  and   interpreter   of  the   gods. 

Quicksilver,  a  metal  used  in  barometers. 

"  Sol  gold  is,  and  Luna  silver  we  thi-epe ; 
Mars  iren,  Mercurie  qTiicksilver  we  clepe." — Chaucer. 

Heat    of    constitutional   temperament,    spirit,    sprightly 

qualities. The  name  of  a  newspaper  or  periodical  publica- 
tion.  A  messenger,  a  news-carrier ;     "  from   the  ofl&ce  of 

the  god  Mercury"  {Webster'). In  heraldry,  the  tincture  pwr- 

pure  in  blazoning. 

MEROVINGIAN.  A  term  applied  to  the  written  character 
of  certain  MSS.  still  extant  in  the  French  libraries  ;  so  called 
from  Merovee,  first  king  of  France  of  a  race  which  reigned 
333  years,  viz.,  from  Pharamond  to  Charles  Martel. 

MERRY-ANDREW.  A  buffoon,  a  zany,  one  whose  busi- 
ness is  to  make  sport  for  others ;  particularly  one  who  attends 
a  mountebank  or  quack  doctor.  "  He  would  be  a  statesman,  be- 
cause he  is  a  buffoon ;  as  if  there  went  no  more  to  the  making 
of  a  counsellor  than  the  faculties  of  a  Merry- Andreio  or  tumbler  " 
(L'Estrange).  "  The  first  who  made  the  experiment  was  a 
Merry -Andreiv"  (Spectator).  '"This  term  is  said  to  have  origi- 
nated from  one  Andrew  Borde,  a  physician  in  the  time  of 
Henry  VIIL,  who  attracted  attention  and  gained  patients  by 
facetious  speeches  to  the  multitude  "  (Smart).  "  'Twas  from  the 
doctor's  method  of  using  such  speeches  at  markets  and  fairs 
that  in  after-times  those  that  imitated  the  like  humorous  jocose 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  187 

language  were  styled  Merry-Andrews,  a  term  much  in  vogue 
on  our  stages  "  (Wharton,  English  Poetry). 

MESMERISM.  Animal  magnetism ;  the  art  of  communi- 
cating a  sort  of  sleep  which  is  supposed  to  affect  the  body 
while  the  mind,  i.e.  the  brain,  is  active  and  intelligent ;  first 
introduced  in  1778  by  Frederic  Anton  Mesmer,  a  physician, 
born  at  Mersburg,  in  Swabia,  about  1734.  Now-a-days  phreno- 
logy and  spirit-rapping  are  more  in  vogue. 

METONIC.  The  cycle  of  the  moon,  or  period  of  nineteen 
years,  in  which  the  lunations  of  the  moon  return  to  the  same 
days  of  the  month ;  so  called  from  its  discoverer  Meton,  the 
Athenian.  See  Aelian,  Var.  Hist.  x.  7;  Censorinus,  c.  18; 
Diodorus,  xii.  36 ;  Ptol.  Synt.  iii.  2 ;  and  Dr.  W.  Smith's 
Diet.,  under  "  Meton." 

MEXICANUM.  A  name  of  the  balsam  of  Peru  ;  so  called 
from  Mexico,  whence  it  is  brought. 

MIASCITE.  A  columnar  variety  of  bitterspar,  intermixed 
with  asbestos ;  from  Miaska,  in  Siberia. 

MICHAEL ITE.  A  sub-variety  of  siliceous  sinter,  found 
in  the  isle  of  St.  Michael. — /.  W.  Webste?-. 

MICHAELMAS.     The  feast  of  St.  Michael,  a  festival  of 

the  Roman  Catholic  church  celebrated  September  29th. In 

colloquial  language,  autumn. 

MIDAS.  The  generic  name  of  a  small  monkey  of  which 
there  are  seven  species,  among  which  are  Midas  rosalia  and 
Marikina  or  Silhy  Tamarin ;  probably  called  Midas  from  the 
large  size  and  breadth  of  its  ears,  like  to  those  of  Midas, 
which  were  changed  by  Apollo  into  ass's  ears. 

MIDDLETONITE.  A  resin  found  in  small  rounded 
masses,  or  thin  seams  between  layers  of  coal,  at  Middleton, 
near  Leeds,  and  also  at  Newcastle. 

MIEMITE.  A  variety  of  magnesian  limestone,  colour 
light  green  or  greenish-white ;  first  found  at  Miemo,  in  Tus- 
cany. 

MIKE.  To  loiter  ;  or,  as  a  costermonger  defined  it,  to 
"  lazy  about."  The  term  probably  originated  at  St.  Giles's, 
which  used  to  be  thronged  with  Irish  labourers  (Mike  being  so 
common  a  term  with  them  as  to  become  a  generic  appellation 


188  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

for  Irishmen  with  the  vulgar),  wlio  used  to  loiter  about  the 
Pound,  and  lean  against  the  public-houses  in  the  "  Dials " 
waiting  for  hire. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

MILESIAN,  A  term  sometimes  applied  to  the  Irish ;  so 
called  from  Milesius,  whose  eight  sons  are  said  to  have  made 
an  expedition  from  Spain,  and  to  have  obtained  possession  of 
Ireland.  The  term  Milesian  fables  is  given  to  certain  tales  or 
novels  composed  by  Aristides  of  Miletus  (the  Boccaccio  of  his 
time),  much  praised  for  the  grace  and  naivete  of  the  style  and 
the  gaiety  of  the  narration.  They  were  translated  into  Latin 
by  the  historian  Sisenna,  friend  of  Atticus,  and  had  a  great 
success  at  Rome.  Plutarch,  in  his  life  of  Crassus,  tells  us  that 
after  the  defeat  of  Carhes  (Carrhje  ?)  some  Milesiacs  were 
found  in  the  baggage  of  the  Roman  prisoners.  The  Greek  text 
and  the  translation  have  been  long  lost.  The  only  fable  of  this 
sort  that  we  have  left  is  that  of  Psyche,  which  Apuleius  calls 
Milesius  sermo,  a  work  which  gives  a  very  good  idea  of  the 
Milesian  fables,  and  which  makes  one  much  regret  their  loss. 

MILLEA.     A  genus  of  Mexican  plants ;  named  after  Julian 
Milla,  chief  gardener  of  Royal  Botanical  Gardens  at  Madrid. 

MILLER.     A  word  frequently  called  out  when  a  person 
relates  a  stale  joke  ;  for  Joe  Miller. — J.  C.  H. 

MILLERIA.     A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Compositce  ;  called 
after  Mr.  Miller,  author  of  the  Gardener's  Dictionary. —  Crabb. 

MILLINER.     A  woman  who  makes  and  sells  headdresses, 
bonnets,  &c.,  for  females. 

"  He  hath  songs  for  man  or  woman,  of  all  sizes ;  no  milliner  can  so  fit 
his  customers  with  gloues." — Shaks. 

Richardson  says,  "  one  who  deals  in  a  mixed  vavietj  of  articles." 
Bailey  renders  milliner  a  seller  of  ribbons,  gloves,  &c.,  of  L. 
mille,  a  thousand  (i.e.,  one  who  sells  a  thousand  sorts  of 
things).  Richardson  says,  "  so  called  from  Milaner,  one  from 
Milan;  or  Malineer,  from  Maline  {Malines);  or  millenarius, 
because  he  deals  in  a  thousand  articles.  It  is  perhaps  mistlener, 
from  mistleyi  or  mestlin,  a  medley  or  mixture." 

MILTONIA.     A    genus    of  Orchidaceous   plants,   said   to 
have  been  named  in  honour  of  the  poet  Milton. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  189 

MINERVALIA.  Festivals  at  Rome  in  houour  of  Minerva. 
During  these  solemnities  scholars  obtained  some  relaxation 
from  their  studies,  and  it  was  customary  for  them  to  offer  to 
their  masters  a  present  called  minerval,  in  allusion  to  the  god- 
dess being  the  patroness  of  literature. 

MINIE.  A  celebrated  rifle  invented  by  Captain  (now 
Colonel)  Minie,  a  Frenchman. 

MINOTAUR  (L.  minotaurus).  A  monster  invented  by  the 
poets,  half  nnan  and  half  bull,  kept   in  D^edalus's  labyrinth. 

"  Thou  may'st  not  wander  in  that  labyrinth, 
There  minotaurs  and  ugly  treasons  lurk." — Shahs. 

"  Here  I,  enclosed  fi'om  all  the  world  asunder, 
The  minotaur  of  shame,  kept  for  disgrace  ; 
The  monster  of  fortune,  and  the  world's  wonder, 
Liv'd  cloist'red  in  so  desolate  a  cave." 

Daniel.     The  Complaint  of  Rosamond. 

"  And  by  his  banner  borne  in  his  penon 
Of  gold  full  riche,  in  which  ther  was  ybete 
The  minotaure  which  that  he  slew  in  Crete." 

Chaucer.     The  Knightes  Tale,  v.  981 . 

The  word  is  derived  from  Minois  taurus,  bull  of  Minos. 

MIQUELETS.  A  species  of  partisan  troops  raised  in  the 
north  of  Spain  {T.  Wright).  They  were  found  principally  in 
the  Pyrenees,  upon  the  borders  of  Catalonia  and  Arragon,  and 
received  their  name  from  their  leader  Miguel.  Napoleon  in 
1808  created  a  corps  called  Miquelets  Fran^ais,  to  oppose  the 
Spanish  guerillas.  Louis  XIV.  had  previously  formed  a  corps 
in  1689,  Louis  XV.  another  in  1744,  and  the  Republic  had 
done  the  same  in  1789. 

MIRBELIA.  A  genus  of  Australian  subshrubs  ;  named  in 
honour  of  M.  Mirbel,  a  French  botanist,  formerly  superinten- 
dent of  the  botanic  garden  at  Malmaison,  author  of  several 
excellent  works  on  the  anatomy  and  physiology  of  vegetables. 

MITCHELLS.  Among  builders,  Purbeck  stones,  from 
fifteen  inches  square  to  two  feet,  squared  and  hewn  ready  for 
building;  probably  from  a  surname. 

MITHRIDATE,  An  antidote  against  poison,  or  a  compo- 
sition in  form  of  an  electuary,  supposed  to  serve  either  as  a 


190  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

remedy  or  a  preservative  against  poison.  "  Were  it  not  strange 
a  physician  should  decline  exhibiting  of  mithridate,  because  it 
was  a  known  medicine,  and  famous  for  its  cures  many  ages 
since  ?"  (Boyle,  Works,  vol.  ii.,  p.  288.) 

*'  But  as  in  mithridate,  or  just  perfumes, 
Where  all  good  things  being  met,  no  one  presumes 
To  govern,  or  to  triumph  on  the  rest." 

Donne.     Progi-ess  of  the  Soul. 

It  is  said  to  take  its  name  from  Mithridates,  king  of  Pontus, 
its  supposed  inventor.  "  Cratevas  hath  ascribed  the  invention 
of  one  hearbe  to  King  Mithridates  himselfe,  called  after  his 
name  Mithridation  "  (Holland,  Plinie,  b.  xxv.  c.  6).  "  Mith- 
ridates experiencing  the  virtues  of  the  simples  separately, 
afterwards  combined  them;  but  then  this  composition  consisted 
of  but  few  ingredients,  viz.,  twenty  leaves  of  rue,  two  walnuts, 
two  figs,  and  a  little  salt:  of  this  he  took  a  dose  every  morning, 
to  guard  himself  against  the  effects  of  poison,  &c."  {Forsyth). 

MOAB.  An  university  term  applied  to  the  turban-shaped 
hat  fashionable  among  ladies,  and  ladylike  swells  of  the  other 
sex,  in  1858-9;  from  the  Scripture  phrase,  "  Moab  is  my 
washpot"  (Ps.  Ix.  8),  which  article  the  hat  in  question  is 
supposed  to  resemble. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

MOCHA.  A  celebrated  coffee  which  still  maintains  its 
superiority  over  the  coffee  produced  in  the  European  colonies. 
It  is  brought  from  Mocha,  in  Arabia ;  or  rather,  it  is  grown  at 

Bulgosa,  near  Bait-al-Fakih,  and  exported  from  Mocha. A 

term  applied  to  a  cat  of  a  black  colour,  intermixed  with  brown  ; 
from  the  Mocha  pebble.     (Prov.) — Hallkvell. 

MOCHA  STONE.  A  mineral,  in  the  interior  of  which 
appear  brown,  reddish-brown,  blackish,  or  green  delineations  of 
shrubs  destitute  of  leaves ;  from  Mocha,  in  Arabia. 

MOCO.  A  monkey  so  called,  as  coming  from  Moco,  in  the 
Persian  Gulf.     See  Buffon. 

MODENA.     A  crimson-like  colour  ;  from  Modena,  in  Italy. 

MOEHRINGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  CaryophyllecB ; 
named  after  P.  H.  G.  Moehring,  a  German  physician,  author 
of  Hortus  Proprius,  and  other  works. 

MOliNCHIA.     A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Ca7'yophyllece ; 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  191 

named  after  Conrad  Moench,  professor  of  botany  at  Marburg, 
author  of  Enumeratio  Plautarum  Indigenaruni  Hassige,  prae- 
sertim  inferioris,  and  a  work  on  the  cultivation  of  North 
American  forest  trees  in  Germany,  &c. 

MOGADORE.  A  bees'-wax  from  Mogador,  a  seaport  of 
Morocco. 

MOHAMMEDANISM.  The  religion  or  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  Mohammad  or  Mahomet,  as  contained  in  the  Koran. 

MOHAWK  or  MOHOCK.  The  appellation  given  to  cer- 
tain ruffians  who  infested  the  streets  of  London  early  in  the 
eighteenth  century;  so  called  from  Mohawk  or  Mohock,  native 
name  of  one  of  the  Iroquois  tribes  of  Indians.  Cf.  Amer. 
Jouru.  Sciences,  conducted  by  Prof.  Silliman,  vol.  41,  p.  28. 

M0LIN-.3EA.  A  genus  of  plants  (by  some  treated  as  a 
species  of  Cupania)  ;  named  by  Commerson  in  honour  of 
Johannes  Molinaeus  (Jean  des  Moulins),  to  whose  assistance 
Dalecliamp  had  recourse  in  the  composition  of  his  work. 

MOLINISM.  The  doctrines  of  the  Molinists  or  followers 
of  the  opinions  of  Molina,  a  Spanish  Jesuit,  which  doctrines 
somewhat  resemble  the  tenets  of  the  Arminians. 

MOLL.     A  girl ;  nickname  for  Mary. — /.  C.  H. 

MOLMUTIN  LAWS.  The  laws  of  Dunwallo  Molmutius, 
sixteenth  king  of  the  Britains.  They  were  famous  here  till 
the  time  of  William  the  Conquei'or, — Bailey. 

MOLUCCELLA  (Molucca  balm).  A  genus  of  plants, 
nat.  or.  Labiatce  ;  said  to  be  natives  of  the  Moluccas. — Crabb. 

MONARDA.  A  genus  of  North  American  herbaceous 
perennial  plants  ;  named  after  Nicholas  Monardes,  a  Spanish 
physician  and  botanist,  who  lived  at  Seville  about  the  end  of 
the  sixteenth  century  ;  author  of  the  Materia  Medica  of  the 
New  World,  and  other  works. 

MONETIA.  A  genus  of  plants  ;  named  by  M.  L'Heritier 
in  honour  of  J.  B.  de  Monet,  Chevalier  de  Lamarck,  a  cele- 
brated French  botanical  writer. 

MONEY.  A  stamped  piece  of  metal ;  from  L.  moneta,  the 
Roman  name  for  money  or  coins ;  so  called,  it  is  said,  because 
the  Romans  kept  their  silver  money  in  the  Temple  of  Juno 
Moneta,  mother  of  the  Muses,  on  which  account  the  latter  is 


192  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

commonly  represented  on  medals  ns  a  female  with  a  pair  of 
scales,  and  is  symbolical  of  justice,  liberality,  &c.  See  Liv. 
vi.  20;  Cic.  Phil.  vii.  1  ;  Cic.  Att.  viii.  7;  Suet.;  Cfes.  76. 

MONMOUTH  CAP.  A  kind  of  flat  cap  formerly  worn 
by  the  common  people. — Halliwell. 

MONONGAHELA.  Rye  whiskey ;  so  called  in  America 
because  large  quantities  of  it  were  produced  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  the  Monongahela,  a  river  of  Pennsylvania  {Bartlett). 

American    whiskey    in    general,    as    distinguished    from 

usquebaugh  and  innishowen,  the  Scotch  and  Irish  sorts. 

MONRADITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate,  from 
Eei-gen,  in  Norway  ;  named  after  M.  Monrad. 

MONROLITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  silica,  alumina, 
magnesia,  and  water ;  found  at  Monroe,  Orange  Co.,  New 
York. 

MONS  MENELAUS.  A  modern  northern  constellation 
of  eleven  stars  ;  named  after  Menelaus,  husband  of  Helen. 

MONTANISM.     See  Montanize. 

MONTANIZE.  To  think  as  Montanus  thought ;  to  adopt, 
to  follow,  the  doctrine  of  Montanus  {Ency.  Met.)  "  TertuUian, 
together  with  such  as  were  his  followers,  beganne  to  montanize, 
and  pretending  to  perfect  the  seueritie  of  Christian  discipline, 
brought  in  sundrie  unaccustomed  dayes  of  fasting,  continued 
their  fasts  a  great  deale  longer,  and  made  them  more  rigorous 
than  the  vse  of  the  church  had  been  "  (Hooker,  Eccles.  Pol.  b, 
V.  s.  72,  fol.  392).  "  Whereupon  TertuUian,  proclaiming  euen 
open  warre  to  the  church,  maintained  Montanisme,  wrote  a 
booke  in  defence  of  the  new  fast,  intituled  the  same,  a  Treatise 
of  Fasting,  against  the  opinion  of  the  carnall  sort "  {Id.  ih.) 

MONTEFIASCO.  A  rich  wine  made  at  Montefiascone,  in 
Italy. 

MONTEPULCIANO.  A  celebrated  wine  made  at  Monte- 
pulciano^  a  town  of  Tuscany,  prov.  Florence. 

MONTETH.  A  vessel  in  which  glasses  are  washed ; 
named  after  the  inventor. 

"  New  things  produce  new  words,  and  thus  Monteth 
Has  by  one  vessel  sav'd  his  name  from  death." — King. 

MONTGOLFIER    (Fr.    montgolfiere).     A    name    given    to 


VERBA    NOMINAT.TA.  193 

balloons  which  receive  their  buoyancy  from  the  burning  of 
combustible  materials  ;  so  called  from  their  originator,  Jacques 
Etienne  Montgolfier,  celebrated  for  his  inventions. 

MONTMARTRITE.  A  mineral,  colour  yellowish  ;  found 
at  Montmartre,  Paris. 

MONTMORILLONITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate, 
colour  rose-red  ;  from  Montmorillon,  in  France  ;  also  found  at 
Confolens  (Charente),  and  near  St.  Jean  de  Colle  (Dordogne). 

MOORCROFTIA.  A  genus  of  East  Indian  plants  ;  named 
in  honour  of  William  Moorcroft. 

MORAVIAISISM.  The  religious  system  of  the  Moravians, 
a  congregation  of  Christians  who  sprung  up  in  Moravia  and 
Bohemia  at  the  dawn  of  the  Reformation,  and  are  otherwise 
called  United  Brethren,  and  on  the  Continent  Herrn  Hiiters. 
They  generally  adhere  to  the  Augsburg  Confession,  and  are 
distinguished  by  their  Christian  virtues  and  great  simplicity 
of  dress  and  manners.  They  have  settlements  in  Germany, 
Switzerland,  England,  and  America,  and  are  noted  for  the 
energy  they  display  in  directing  missions  for  the  conversion  of 
what  are  termed  "  the  heathen  "  to  the  remotest  parts  of  the 
globe. 

MOREA.  A  genus  of  plants  whose  species  are  bulbs,  na- 
tives of  the  Cape ;  named  by  Miller  after  Robert  More,  of 
Shrewsbury,  a  celebrated  botanist  and  naturalist. 

MORESQUE  or  MORESCO  (It.  morcsco).  A  kind  of 
painting  or  carving  done  after  the  Moorish  manner,  consisting 
of  grotesque  pieces  and  compartments  promiscuously  intei'- 
spersed ;  arabesque. 

MORETTIA.  A  genus  of  cruciferous  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  J.  L.  Moretti,  an  Italian  botanist. 

MORGANIA.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  plants,  natives  of 
the  tropical  parts  of  Australia ;  named  by  Mr.  R.  Brown  in 
honour  of  Hugh  Morgan,  an  English  horticulturist,  who 
flourished  temp.  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  whose  garden  is  often 
mentioned  by  Lobel  and  Gerarde. 

MORION  (found  morrion,  morian,  and  murrion  ;  Fr.  morion, 
It.  morione,  Sp.  morrion).  A  kind  of  open  helmet,  without 
visor  or  beaver,  somewhat  resembling  a  hat. 

o 


194  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

"  Fhilopoemen  reformed  all  this,  perswadlng  them  to  use  the  pike  and 
shield  instead  of  the  little  target,  spear,  or  bore-staff,  and  to  put  good 
morians  or  burganets  on  their  heads." — Sir  Thomas  North,  Plutarch, 
fol.  309. 

"  Their  beef  they  often  in  their  murrions  stewed." 

King.    Art  of  Cookery. 

"  Then  to  herselfe  she  gives  her  ^gide  shield, 

And  steel-hed  speare,  and  morion  on  lier  hedd, 
Such  as  she  oft  is  seene  in  warlike  field." 

Spenser.    Muiopotmos. 

Somo  derive  the  word  from  L.  motnts,  dark -coloured,  black  ; 
and  Menaae  tells  us  that  the  Low  Latin  writers  call  a  cuirass 
bninia,  on  account  of  its  brown  colour.  According  to  others, 
it  was  so  called  because  introduced  into  Europe  by  the  Moors. 
Bochart  says  "from  Maurus,  &  Maurorum  usu  (because  used  by 
the  Moors) :  ut  Moresque,  saltationis  genus,"  "  C'^tait  autrefois 
la  coiffure  sp^ciale  des  arquebusiers  et  des  mousquetaires. 
C'6tait  aussi  le  nom  d'une  sorte  de  chatiment  militaire  qui 
consistait  a  frapper  sur  le  derriere  le  soldat  coupable  avec  la 
hampe  d'une  hallebarde  ou  la  crosse  d'un  mousquet "  (Bouillet, 
Diet,  des  Sciences). 

MORISCO  or  MORISK.  A  term  variously  applied  by 
old  writers  to  the  work  called  moresque ;  to  the  J/oon'sA  lan- 
guage ;  and  also  to  a  dance,  or  a  dancer  of  morris  or  Moorish 
dances. — Webster. 

MORMONISM.  The  doctrines  of  the  Mormonites,  follow- 
ers of  the  factitious  prophet  Mormon,  usually  called  Mormons. 

MORNA.  A  genus  of  composite  plants  ;  so  named  after  a 
heroine  of  Northern  romance. — T.  Wright,  M.A. 

MOROCCO  (found  marroquin,  Fr.  maroquin).  A  fine  kind 
of  leather,  prepared  commonly  from  goatskin  (though  an  infe- 
rior kind  is  made  of  sheepskin),  and  tanned  with  sumach ; 
from  Morocco,  or  rather  Marocco,  where  first  manufactured. 

A  strong  ale  brewed  with  beef  or  some  other  sort  of  meat 

at  Levens  Hall,  in  Cumberland.  "  Morocco  is  the  name  of 
the  drink ;  it  is  brewed  at  Levens,  near  jMilnthorp,  from  a  re- 
cipe found  wrapped  up  in  lead  near  an  evergreen  in  the  old 
garden.     Flesh  is  certainly  introduced,  as  I  believe  it  to  be  in 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  195 

the  Durham  University  strong  beer.  The  exact  recipe  for 
brewing  morocco  is  kept  strictly  secret.  There  is  a  legend 
that  the  secret  was  brouglit  by  a  Crusader,  Howard,  and  during 
the  Civil  Wars  buried  where  it  was  found,  as  above,  some  years 
ago.  Helpless,  truly,  is  the  state  of  that  man  Avho  stoops  to 
drink  inferior  liquor  after  imbibing  the  mighty  morocco.  It 
is  almost  dark,  pours  like  oil,  and  tastes  mild  as  milk  in  its 
treachery."     See  N.  &  Q.  3rd  S.  vii.  74. 

MORPHIA,  MORPHINA,  or  MORPHINE.  A  vege- 
table alkaloid  extracted  from  opium,  of  which  it  constitutes 
one  of  the  narcotic  principles  ;  so  called  fi^om  Morpheus,  god 
of  sleep. 

MORRIS  or  MORRICE  (Fr.  moresque).  A  Moorish  dance  ; 
a  dance  in  the  Middle  Ages,  in  imitation  of  the  Moors,  as 
saral>ands,  chacons,  &c.,  usually  performed  with  castanets, 
tambours,  &c.,  by  young  men  in  their  shirts,  with  bells  at  their 
feet,  and  ribbons  of  various  colours  tied  round  their  arms  and 
flung  across  their  shoulders.  It  was  common  in  Spain.  The 
Spanish  fandango,  danced  to  the  present  day,  is  the  old  Moor- 
ish or  morris  dance. A  kind  of  game  sometimes  played  in 

the  field  with  nine  holes  in  the  ground,  and  called  nine-men's 
morris ;  sometimes  played  on  a  board  (Skak.  Torhy).  The 
morris  or  morrice  (found  moriske)  is  said  to  have  been  inti'o- 
duced  into  England  by  John  of  Gaunt,  who  supposed  the 
Galician  Spanish  dance  to  be  of  Moorish  origin. 

MOSAIC,  MOSAICAL.  Pertaining  to  Moses;  as  the 
Mosaic  law,  rites,  or  institutions. 

MOSAIC  (Fr.  mosaique;  It.  mosaico ;  Sp.  mosayco ;  L. 
musivus,  musivum  opus).  An  assemblage  of  little  pieces  of 
glass,  marble,  precious  stones,  &c.,  of  various  colours,  cut 
square,  and  cemented  on  a  ground  of  stucco,  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  imitate  the  colours  and  granulations  of  painting  ;  from 
^ovcrsiov,  relating  to  the  Muses,  on  account  of  its  elegance. 
Hence  mosaic  gold  {cturum  niusiviini),  the  alchemical  name  of 
the  bi-sulphuret  of  tin,  produced  in  fine  flakes  of  a  beautiful 
gold  colour,  and  used  as  a  pigment.     See  also  Museum. 

MOSASAURUS.    A  saurian  reptile,  related  to  the  crocodile, 
whose  remains  are  found  in  beds  of  clay  near  Maestricht,  in 

o  2 


196  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Holland;  from  Mosa,  Latin  name  of  the  Meuse,  and  Gr. 
ffav^o;,  a  lizard.  [N.B. — Maestricht  was  called  Pons  Mosce. 
S.  F.  C] 

MOSELLE.  A  sparkling  wine  made,  or  supposed  to  be 
made,  on  the  banks  of  the  Moselle,  which  falls  into  the  Rhine, 
at  Coblenz.  The  Moselle  wines,  however,  like  the  Rhine 
wines,  are  usually  denominated  from  the  particular  locality 
where  they  are  made. 

MOUCHARD.  "  In  the  vocabulary  of  iha  secret  police 
the  terms  mouchard  and  mouton  are  the  two  which  are  most 
familiar  to  those  who  are  uninitiated  in  its  mysteries.  The 
word  mouchard  is  not  of  modern  origin.  A  certain  Antoine 
de  Mouchy,  otherwise  Democharis,  a  Doctor  of  the  Sorbonne 
and  Canon  of  Xoyon,  in  1574  acquired  an  unenviable  notoriety 
among  his  contemporaries  by  his  zeal  against  the  Reformers, 
and  was  appointed  '  Inquisitor  of  the  Faith.'  The  Reformers 
who  were  persecuted  by,  and  wlio  naturally  hated  him,  gave 
the  name  of  mouchards  to  those  whom  he  employed  as  spies  to 
hunt  out  dissenters.  In  his  History  of  the  Parliament  of 
Paris,  Voltaire  says,  '  The  famous  Mouchy  was  in  reality  an 
informer,  a  spy  of  the  Cardinal  de  Lorraine,  and  it  was  for  him 
that  the  nickname  of  mouchard  was  invented,  and  which  de- 
signated all  spies.  The  term  has  become  an  insult.'  Other 
authorities  will  have  it  that  it  comes  from  mouche,  a  fly,  be- 
cause the  mouchard,  like  the  fly,  is  ever  buzzing  about  the  ears 
of  people.  '  Mouton  '  is  applied  to  an  agent  who,  a  prisoner 
himself,  is  employed  to  lead  the  conversation  of  his  fellows  in 
plots  and  conspiracies,  and  to  gradually  tempt  them  to  disclose 
their  plots  with  the  same  apparent  frankness  that  he  reveals 
his  own.  They  follow  him  as  a  flock  of  sheep  follow  their 
leader.  Agents  of  this  kind  are  employed  in  most  political 
conspiracies,  and  when  all  is  ready  they  either  disappear,  or 
may  be  included  among  the  arrested  as  a  matter  of  form,  and 
when  brought  to  trial  inform  against  their  accomplices  or 
those  who  confide  their  secrets  to  them." — Times,  26  Feb., 
1864. 

MUHLENBERGIA.  A  genus  of  American  grasses ;  named 
by  Schrceber  in  honour  of  Henry  Muhlenberg,  D.D.,  of  Lan- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  197 

caster,  in  Peiiusylvanin,  who  discovered  this  genus,  and  wrote 
iseveral  valutible  botanical  treatises. 

MULLERIZE.  To  cut  down  a  hat,  after  the  manner  of 
the  late  Franz  Miiller ;  a  term  now  used  by  some  hatters. 

MULLINGAR  HEIFER.  A  girl  with  thick  ankles  (/m/j). 
*'  The  story  goes  that  a  traveller  passing  through  IMullingar 
was  so  struck  with  this  local  peculiarity  in  the  women  that  he 
determined  to  accost  the  first  he  next  met.  '  May  I  ask,'  said 
he,  '  if  you  wear  hay  in  your  shoes  ?'  '  Faith  !  an'  I  do,'  said 
the  girl,  '  and  Avhat  then  ?'  '  Because,'  says  the  traveller, 
'  that  accounts  for  the  calves  of  your  legs  coming  down  to  feed 
on  it.'  " — J.  C.  Rotten. 

MUM  (G.  mumme,  D.  momme).  A  laalt  liquor,  made  of 
malt  of  wheat,  oatmeal,  and  ground  beans,  brewed  with  water, 
much  used  in  Germany,  and  called  sometimes  Brunswick  mum; 
sometimes  Hamburg  mum. 

"  See  how  the  Belgae,  sedulous  and  stout. 

With  bowls  of  fattening  mum  or  blissful  cups 
Of  kernel-relisli'd  fluids,  the  fair  star 

Of  early  phosphorus  salute." — J.  PhU'qJs.     Cider,  b.  ii. 

*'  The  clamorous  crowd  is  husli'd  with  mugs  of  71111  m, 
'Jill  all,  tun'd  equal,  send  a  general  hum." 

Pope.    The  Dunciad,  b.  ii. 

*'  Skinner,"  says  Richardson,  "  calls  the  G.  mumme  a  strong 
kind  of  beer  introduced  by  us  from  Brunswick,  and  derived 
either  from  G.  mummeln,  to  mumble,  or  from  mnm  (silentii  in- 
dex), i.e.  either  drink  that  will  (ut  nos  dicimus)  make  a  cat 
speak,  or  drink  that  will  take  away  the  power  of  speech." 
The  German  word  is  with  more  probability  derived  from 
Christiern  Mumme,  a  brewer  of  Braunschweig  (Brunswick) 
Wolfenbiittel,  who  first  made  it  in  1492,  and  who,  in  1498,  lived 
in  the  house  No.  846,  which  is  still  standing,  -with  his  sign, 
viz.,  the  backbone  of  a  fish  (Cf.  Itiu.  d'Allemagne,  Richard). 
For  a  Catch  in  Praise  of  Mum,  see  Playford's  Second  Book  of 
the  Musical  Companion,  W.  Pearson,  1715.  Cf.  also  Notes 
and  Queries,  3rd  S.  vi.  434,  503;  and  vii.  41. 

MUMMERS.     Performers   at  a    travelling    theatre   {cine.) 


198  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Rustic    performers    at    Christmas    in   the    West    of    England 
(/.  C.  Hotten).     See  Mummery. 

MUMMERY  (Fr.  momerie;  0.  Fr.  mommerie ;  Sp.  momeria). 
Masking,  sport,  diversion,  frolicking  in  masks,  low  contempti- 
ble amusement,  buffoonery,  farcical  show,  hypocritical  disguise 
and  parade  to  delude  vulgar  minds. 

"  Curse  not  (this  mad-man  sayd),  but  sweare 
That  women  be  vntrew, 
Their  loue  is  but  a  muinmerie, 

t)r  as  an  April's  dew." — Warner.     Albion's  England. 

"  This  same  truth  is  a  naked  and  open  day-light,  that  doth  not  shew  the 
masques,  and  tnununerics,  and  triumphs  of  the  world,  half  so  stately,  and 
daintily,  as  candle-lights." — Bacon.     Ess.  of  Truth. 

"  The  temple  and  its  holy  rites  profan'd, 
By  mum'ries  he  that  dwelt  in  it  disdain'd." 

Cowper.     Expostulation. 

Ducange  derives  this  word  from  Mahomeria,  the  temple  of  the 
Mahometans.  Cowel  says,  "  Mahomeria,  the  temple  of  Maho- 
met, so  called  by  Matt.  Paris  ;  and  because  the  gestures,  noise, 
and  songs  there  used  were  ridiculous  to  the  Christians,  there- 
fore they  called  antic  dancing,  and  every  ridiculous  thing  a 
7)ionimerie."  Manage  derives  ?nommerie  from  Momus,  god  of 
ridicule  and  raillery:  thus  Momvs,  momarms,  momaria,  mommerie. 
We  have,  however,  the  word  mummer,  one  who  masks  himself, 
and  makes  diversion  in  disguise  ;  originally,  says  Webster 
one  who  made  sport  by  gestures,  without  speaking ;  and 
Webster  gives  also  the  word  mumm,  to  mask,  to  sport  or  make 
diversion  in  a  mask  or  disguise,  Dan.  mumme,  a  mask ;  D. 
mommen,  to  mask  ;  G.  mumme  a  mask  or  muffle,  mummehi  to 
mask,  to  mumble ;  Sw.  Jormumma,  to  personate  ;  which  he 
thinks  may  be  allied  to  the  god  Momus.  (Mco^ao;,  the  make- 
game  even  of  his  brother  gods,  transmitting  his  name  and 
characteristics  to  all  the  modern  European  languages,  says 
Richardson).  Others,  again,  derive  the  word  from  Gr.  [ji^opfiu, 
terriculum.  (what  Ave  call  a  bugbear). 

MUNTZ'S    METAL.     A  brass  composed  of  forty  parts  of 
zinc  to  sixty  of  copper.     The  proportions   may  be   somewhat 


VERBA    NOMINAl.lA.  199 

varied,  but  the  above  arc  commonly  regarded  as  the  most 
favourable  for  rolling  into  sheets  ;  manufactured  by  Mr. 
Muntz. 

MURCHISONITE.  A  variety^  of  felspar  ;  named  after 
Sir  Roderick  Murchison,  the  geologist. 

MURPHY.  A  vulgar  name  for  a  potato ;  probably  so 
called  from  the  common  Irish  surname. 

JMURRAYA.  A  genus  of  plants,  riat.  or.  AurantiacecB, 
w^hose  species  are  natives  of  the  East  Indies ;  called  after  Mr. 
Murray,  professor  of  botany  at  Gottingen. 

MUSA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  three  species,  natives  of  the 
East  Indies,  and  other  parts  of  the  Asiatic  continent,  the 
Molucca  Islands,  and  probably  of  Africa.  The  Egyptian 
name  was  Mauz,  which  was  changed  into  Musa  by  Plumier,  in 
memory  of  Antonius  Musa,  freedman  of  Augustus. 

MUSEIA.     Grecian  festivals  in  honour  of  the  Muses. 

MUSEUM.  A  repository  of  natural,  scientific,  and  literary 
curiosities,  or  of  works  of  art;  from  MovTsiov,  originally  the 
name  of  places  in  Alexandria  and  Athens ;  so  called  as  being 
destined  and  set  apart  to  the  Muses  and  the  sciences. 

MUSLIN  (found  mxisselin ;  Fr.  monsseline ;  It.  mussoUna, 
mussoUno,  mussolo ;  Sp.  museUna).  A  sort  of  cotton  cloth. 
Some  derive  the  Fr.  word  from  mousse,  moss,  because  all  the 
cloths  of  fine  cotton  brought  from  the  Indies  have  a  down 
which  they  compare  to  mousse.  Webster  says,  "  If  this  is  a 
compound  word,  it  is  formed  from  mousse,  moss,  or  its  root,  on 
account  of  its  soft  nap,  and  liii,  flax."  The  most  reason- 
able etymology  is  that  from  Moussoul  (Musul),  a  town  of 
Asiatic  Turkey  (Mesopotamia),  whence  this  cloth  was  first 
brought.  According  to  others,  however,  it  was  imjjorted  from 
the  East  Indies  circa  1670;  and  if  so,  the  name  may  be  derived 
from  Masulipatam,  cap.  district  same  name,  pres.  Madras.  A 
sort  of  Indian  calico  is  called  by  the  French  masulipatan. 
Bailey  says  muslin  is  a  fine  sort  of  cotton  linen  cloth  brought 
from  India,  &c.  The  towns  of  Alenpon,  Tarare,  and  St. 
Quentin,  in  France,  now  produce  very  first-i'ate  muslins ;  in- 
deed, with  the  exception  of  Switzerland,  they  may  be  said  to 
have  the  monopoly  of  this  industry. 


200  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

MUSLINET.  A  sort  of  coarse  cotton  cloth  ;  diminutive  of 
muslin,  q,v. 

MUSSCHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  CampanulacecB ; 
named  in  honour  of  J.  M.  llussche. 

MUSSITE.  A  variety  of  pyroxene  of  a  greenish-white 
colour ;  otherw^ise  called  diopside  ;  from  Mussa,  a  valley  in 
Piedmont. 

MUSTARD  VILLARS.  Formerly  a  colour  so  named. 
"  Of  olden  times,"  says  Stow,  "  I  read  that  the  officers  of  this 
city  wore  gowns  of  party- colours,  as  the  right  side  of  one  colour 
and  the  left  side  of  another.  As  for  example,  I  read  in  books 
of  accounts  in  Guildhall  that  in  the  nineteenth  year  of  King 
Henry  VI.  there  was  bought  for  an  officer's  gown  two  yards  of 
cloth  coloured  mustard  villars,  a  colour  now  out  of  use,  and  two 
yards  of  cloth  coloured  blew,  price  two  shillings  the  yard,  in 
all  eight  shillings  more,  paid  to  John  Pope,  draper,  for  two 
gown-cloths,  eight  yards,  of  two  colours,  eux  ombo  deux  de  rouge 
or  red  medley,  brune  and  porre  (or  purple)  colour.  Price  the 
yard  two  shillings.  These  gowns  were  for  Piers  Rider  and 
John  Buckle,  clerks  of  the  chamber."  "  Mustard  villars  has 
been  said  to  be  a  corruption  of  moitie  velours,  and  consequently 
to  signify  the  species  of  stuff,  and  not  the  colour ;  but  Stow 
speaks  of  it  here  as  a  colour  distinctly.  A  town  called  Mous- 
tiers  de  Villiers,  near  Harfleur,  is  mentioned  by  the  historians 
of  the  preceding  reign  in  their  accounts  of  Henry's  expedition, 
and  most  probably  gave  its  name  to  the  dye  or  the  stuff  there 
manufactured "  {Planche), 

MUTISIA.  A  climbing  plaut,  like  clematis,  of  only  one 
species ;  named  in  memory  of  Joseph  Coelestine  Mutis,  an 
American  botanist,  who  designed  a  History  of  American  Plants, 
especially  of  palms,  and  communicated  many  new  plants  to  the 
younger  Linnseus  and  others.  Joseph  de  Jussieu  had  before 
given  this  genus  the  Peruvian  name  Cruariruma. 

MUTSCHEN  DIAMONDS.  A  kind  of  crystals  found 
near  Mutschen,  in  Saxony. 

MYATT'S  PINE.  A  celebrated  strawberry;  named  after 
its  cultivator. 

MYGINDA.     A  genus  of  plants,   shrubs,  natives  of  the 


VERBA    XOMINALTA.  201 

West  Indies;  named  by  Jacquiu  in  honour  of  Francis  von 
Mjgind,  a  German  nobleman,  who  largely  patronised  the 
botanic  garden  at  Vienna,  and  was  himself  a  practical  scientific 
botanist. 

MYRMIDON.  A  soldier  of  a  rough  character,  a  desperate 
soldier  or  ruffian  under  some  daring  leader :  hence  the  "  myr- 
midons of  the  law,"  &c. 

"  The  mass  of  the  people  will  not  endure  to  be  governed  by  Clodius  and 
Curio,  at  the  head  of  their  myrmidons,  though  these  be  ever  so  numerous, 
and  composed  of  their  own  representatives." — Swift. 

So  called  from  the  Myrmidons,  a  people  on  the  borders  of 
Thessaly,  who  accompanied  Achilles  to  the  war  against  Troy. 
The  Myrmidons  were  probably  named  either  from  their  num- 
bers or  their  industry  ;  from  Gr.  [MupiJiyjSuiy,  an  ant-hill. 

MYSORIN  or  MYSORINE.  A  mineral  of  a  blackish- 
brown  colour  when  pure ;  usually  green  or  red,  from  mixture 
with  malachite  and  red  oxide  of  iron ;  found  at  Mysore,  in 
Hindustan. 


N. 


NABONASSAR.  A  computation  of  time  from  the  reign 
of  Nabonassar,  on  that  account  called  the  Era  of  Nabonassar, 
which  was  the  era  followed  by  Ptolemy  the  astronomer. 

NABOTH'S  GLANDS  {Ovula  Nabothi).  Small  semi- 
transparent  vesicles  situated  within  and  around  the  cervix 
uteri ;  mistaken  by  Naboth  for  ovula. 

NAJAS.  A  water  plant  of  only  one  species,  native  of  the 
sea-coast  of  Europe  ;  in  the  canal  between  Pisa  and  Leghorn, 
and  in  the  Rhine  near  Bale ;  named  after  Najas  or  Naias, 
nymph  of  the  springs. 

NAMBY-PAMBY.  Particular;  over-nice;  effeminate.  "A 
term  applied  to  that  which  is  contemptible  for  affected  pretti- 
ness"  (Smart),  Sir  John  Stoddart,  in  his  article  "Grammar" 
(Encyc.  Met.,  vol.  1,  p.  118),  remarks  that  the  word  nambij- 
paiiiby   seems  to  be  of  modern  fabrication,  and  is  particularly 


202  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

intended  to  describe  tliat  style  of  poetry  whicli  affects  the  in- 
fantine simplicity  of  the  nursery,  and  that  it  would  perhaps  be 
difficult  to  trace  any  part  of  it  to  a  significant  origin.  It  is 
asserted  that  Henry  Carey,  author  of  "  Chrononhotonthologos," 
and  of  "  The  Dragoness  of  Wantley,"  wrote  a  work  called 
Nambij-Pamhy,  in  burlesque  of  Ambrose  Phillips's  style  of 
poetry,  and  the  title  of  it  was  probably  intended  to  trifle  with 
that  poet's  name.  Macaulay,  in  his  essay  on  Addison  and  his 
Writings,  speaks  of  Ambrose  Phillips,  who  was  a  great  adula- 
tor of  Addison,  as  "  a  middling  poet,  whose  verses  introduced  a 
species  of  composition  which  has  been  called  after  his  name, 
narnhj-pamhij ."  Johnson,  in  his  life  of  Ambrose  Phillips,  says, 
"  The  pieces  that  please  best  are  those  for  which  Pope  and 
Pope's  adherents  procured  him  the  name  of  Namhy-Pamhy,  the 
poems  of  short  lines,  by  which  he  paid  his  court  to  all  ages  and 
characters — from  Walpole,  '  the  steerer  of  the  realm,'  to  Miss 
Pulteney  in  the  nursery.  The  numbers  are  smooth  and 
sprightly,  and  the  diction  is  seldom  faulty.  They  are  not 
loaded  with  much  thought;  yet  if  they  had  been  written  by 
Addison  they  would  have  had  admirers.  Little  things  are  not 
valued  but  when  they  are  done  by  those  who  can  do  greater." 
Another  writer  says,  ^^Namby-pamby  belongs  to  a  tolerable 
numerous  class  of  words  in  our  language,  all  formed  on  the 
same  rhyming  principle.  They  are  all  familiar,  and  some  of 
them  childish,  which  last  circumstance  probably  suggested  to 
Pope  the  Invention  of  namby-iKimby,  to  designate  the  infantine 
style  which  Ambrose  Phillips  had  introduced.  Many  of  them, 
however,  are  used  by  old  and  approved  writers,  and  the  prin- 
ciple upon  which  they  are  formed  must  be  of  great  antiquity 
in  our  language  "  (Cf.  N.  h  Q.,  1st  Series).  Pamby  is  doubt- 
less an  iiliteration  of  Namby,  for  Amby,  a  nickname  for  Am- 
brose. Among  many  other  words  of  the  namby-pamby  school 
have  been  given  the  following :  bow-woAV,  chit-chat,  fiddle- 
faddle,  flim-flam,  hab  or  nab,  handy-dandy,  harum-scarum, 
helter-skelter,  &c.     See  also  Hotten's  Slang  Dictionary. 

NANCEIC  ACID.  An  acid  procured  from  sour  rice  and 
other  acescent  vegetable  substances;  named  by  Braconuot  in 
honour  of  his  native  town,  Nancv,  in  France. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  2t  3 

NANKEEN,  A  species  of  cloth  made  of  cotton,  naturally 
of  a  kind  of  permanent  yellow  colour ;  first  manufactured  at 
Nankin,  in  China.  It  is  now  also  made  in  Georgia,  United 
States,  and  is  imitated  by  the  manufacturers  of  Great  Britain, 
though  with  far  less  permanency  of  colour  than  the  Chinese 

fabric. A   dye   made   by  boiling   anatto   and   carbonate  of 

potash  in  water. 

NAPIER'S  BONES.  A  set  of  rods  made  of  bone,  ivory, 
horn,  or  the  like,  contrived  by  Lord  Napier  for  facilitating  the 
arithmetical  operations  of  multiplication  and  division.  They 
have,  however,  been  completely  superseded  by  the  use  of 
logarithms,  which  were  also  invented  by  the  same  eminent 
mathematician. 

NAPLES  YELLOW.  A  fine  yellow  pigment  used  in  oil 
painting,  also  for  porcelain  and  enamel ;  long  prepared  in  Italy 
by  a  secret  process.  Its  proper  name  is  gialloUno,  a  diminutive 
of  It.  giallo,  yellow. 

NAPOLEON.  A  gold  coin  of  France ;  a  piece  of  twenty 
francs  bearing  the  effigy  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon.  The  word 
is  also  applied  to  twenty-franc  pieces  with  the  efiigy  of  the 
kings  who  have  succeeded  Napoleon.  There  were  formerly 
napoleons  of  the  value  of  forty  francs,  and  the  name  is  also 
applied  to  certain  French  cupper  pieces  of  the  value  of  ten 

centimes,   marked  with  the  letter   N. A   fine  plant  from 

Africa. In  the  United  States,  a  sort  of  cannon. 

NAPOLEONISM.  The  ism  of  Napoleon  III. ;  sphinx- 
ism. 

NAPOLITE.  A  blue  mineral  from  Vesuvius  ;  doubtless 
derived  from  Napoli,  i.e.  Naples. 

NATRON  or  NATRUM  (anc.  called  Nitrum).  Native 
carbonate  of  soda ;  so  called  from  being  found  crystallised  in 
great  abundance  in  Lake  Natron,  in  Judea.  It  is,  however, 
also  found  in  other  hot  countries,  in  sands  surrounding  lakes 

of  salt  water. Name  formerly   given  by  the    College    ef 

Physicians  to  the  alkali  now  called  soda. An  impure  sub- 
carbonate  of  soda,  obtained  by  burning  various  marine  plants. 

NAUMANNITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  silver,  lead, 
and   selenium ;    found   at   Tilkerode,   in   the   Harz ;    probably 


204  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

named  after  Dr.   Carl  Friedrich  Naumaim,  prof,  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Leipzig,  author  of  Lehrbuch  der  Geognosie. 

NAUPACTUS.  A  genus  of  insects  found  abundantly 
upon  the  leaves  of  vegetables,  of  which  there  are  140  species, 
natives  of  America ;  so  called  from  Naupactus,  a  town  of 
Etolia.  The  genus  was  formed  by  Megerle,  and  adopted  by 
Dejean  and  Schoenherr, 

NAZARITISM.  The  vow  and  practice  of  the  Nazarites, 
Jews  who  bound  themselves  to  extraordinary  purity  of  life 
and  devotion ;  lit.  inhabitants  of  Nazareth. 

NEAPOLITANUS  MORBUS.  The  venereal  disease;  so 
called  because  it  was  said  to  have  been  first  discovered  at 
Naples  (Neapolis),  when  in  possession  of  the  French. — Forsyth. 

NECKERA.  A  genus  of  cryptogamic  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  Dr.  Natalis  Joseph  de  Necker,  a  German  botanist  to 
the  Elector  Palatine  ;  born  1730,  died  1793. 

NEDDY.  A  life  preserver ;  contraction  of  Kennedy,  name 
of  the  first  man,  it  is  said,  in  St.  Giles's,  who  had  his  head 
broken  by  a  poker.      Vide  Mornings  at  Bow  Street. — J.  C.  H. 

NEEDHAMIA.  A  genus  of  Australian  plants;  named  in 
honour  of  John  Tuberville  Needham,  who,  in  his  work,  "  An 
Account  of  Some  New  Microscopical  Discoveries,"  gave  the 
earliest  account  of  the  structure  and  economy  of  the  pollen  in 
plants. 

NEGRO  (Sp.  and  It.  id.)  A  native  or  descendant  of  the 
black  race  of  men  in  Africa.  The  word  is  never  applied  to 
the  tawny  or  olive-coloured  inhabitants  of  the  northern  coast 
of  Africa,  but  to  the  more  southern  race  of  men,  who  are  quite 
black ;  doubtless  so  called  from  dwelling  in  the  country 
watered  by  the  Niger.  Hence  Nigritia  (Soudan),  and  perhaps 
the  Latin  word  niger,  black.  Pliny  calls  the  Negros  Nigritce ; 
and  their  chief  city,  Guber  or  Cano,  is  called  by  Ptolemy 
Nifiira. 

NEGUS.  A  liquor  made  of  wine,  water,  sugar,  nutmeg, 
and  lemon-juice  ;  said  to  have  been  named  after  its  first  maker. 
Colonel  Negus.  Mr.  Pulley n  says,  "  Wine  and  water  fii'st 
received  this  name  from  Francis  Negus,  Esq.,  in  the  reign  of 
George  I.     Party  spirit  ran  high  at  that  period  between  Avhigs 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  205 

and  tories,  and  wine-bibblng  was  resorted  to  as  an  excitement. 
On  one  occasion  some  leading  whigs  and  tories  having,  par 
accident,  got  over  their  cups  together,  and  Mr.  Negus  being 
present,  and  high  words  ensuing,  he  recommended  them  in 
future  to  dilute  their  wine  as  he  did,  which  suggestion  fortu- 
nately directed  their  attention  from  an  argument  which  pro- 
bably would  have  ended  seriously,  to  one  on  the  merits  of  wine 
and  water,  which  concluded  by  their  nicknaming  it  '  Negus.' " 

NEILLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Homaliacew ;  named 
after  Patrick  Neill,  a  Scotch  botanist,  secretary  to  the  Wer- 
nerian  and  Caledonian  Horticultural  Societies  of  Edinburgh. 

NEMESIA.  In  antiquity,  a  religious  solemnity  in  memory 
of  deceased  persons  ;  so  called  from  the  goddess  Nemesis,  who 
was  supposed   to   defend  the  I'elics  and   the  memory   of  the 

dead  from  all  insult. A  genus   of  herbaceous  plants,  nat. 

or.  Scrophulariacece. 

NEPTUNE.  A  large  planet  beyond  Uranus,  discovered  in 
consequence  of  the  computations  of  Le  Verrier,  of  Paris,  by 
Galle,  of  Berlin,  Sep.  23,  1846  ;  named  after  Neptune,  god  of 
the  ocean.  "Discovered  theoretically  in  1845  by  Mr.  Adams, 
of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge  "  (;S'.  F.  C.) 

NEPTUNIAN.  Pertaining  to  the  ocean  or  aqueous  solu- 
tion ;  as  Neptunian  rocks,  Neptunian  theory  ;  the  theory  of 
Werner,  which  refers  the  formation  of  all  rocks  and  strata 
to   the  agency  of  water  ;    opjwsed  to  the    Plutonic   theory  ; 

so  called  from  Neptune,  god  of  the  ocean. One  who  adopts 

the  theory  that  the  substances  of  the  globe  were  formed  from 
aqueous  solution. — Pinkerton. 

NEUFCMATEL.  A  celebrated  cream  cheese,  not,  as  the 
Times  once  asserted,  made  at  Neufchatel  in  Switzerland,  but 
Neufchatel-en-Bray  in  France,  dep.  Seine-Inferieure,  also 
noted  for  its  excellent  butter. 

NEWMARKET.  In  the  sporting  world,  the  ordinary 
methods  of  tossing  are  styled  "  two  and  three,"  and  "  five  and 
nine,"  i.e.  best  out  of  three,  best  out  of  nine.  Newmarket  is 
first  call,  equivalent  to  "  sudden  death."  Mr.  J.  C.  Hotten 
makes  it  best  two  out  of  three,  but  I  am  told  there  never  were 
any  heats  at  Newmarket. 


206  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

NEWTONIAN.  A  follower  of  or  pertaining  to  Sir  Isaac 
Newton,   or  formed   or   discovered  by  him,  as  the  Newtonian 

philosophy  or   system. A   reflecting  telescope  of  the  form 

invented  by  Newton,  in  which,  by  means  of  a  plane  mirror, 
the  image  is  reflected  to  the  eye  through  one  side  of  the  tube, 
where  it  is  viewed  by  the  eyeglass. 

NICARAGUA  WOOD.  The  wood  of  a  tree  growing  in 
Nicaragua,  in  Central  America,  used  in  dyeing  red. 

NICENE  CREED.  A  summary  of  Christian  faith,  drawn 
up  by  the  Council  of  Nice  against  Arianism,  a.d.  325,  altered 
and  confirmed  by  the  Council  of  Constantinople,  a.d.  381. 
This  was  the  first  and  most  important  general  council  ever 
held  by  the  Christian  Church.  From  Nice  (now  called  by  the 
Turks  Isnik),  a  town  of  Asia  Minor. 

NICKEL  (Niccoluin).  A  metal,  colour  white  or  reddish- 
white,  of  great  hai'dness,  difficult  to  bo  purified,  always  mag- 
netic, and,  when  perfectly  pure,  malleable  and  ductile.  It 
doubtless  had  its  name  from  its  discoverer,  a  German.  Nickel 
is  found  as  a  German  surname,  and  in  composition  of  local 
names,  as  Nickelhajen,  Nickelsdorf  (Prussia),  Nickelstadt 
(Silesia). 

NICOTIAN.  Pertaining  to  or  denoting  tobacco;  and,  as  a 
noun,  tobacco.     See  Nicotin. 

NICOTIANA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Solanacece ; 
called  after  M.  Nicot,  ambassador  from  the  King  of  France  to 
Portugal,  who  first  introduced  it  into  France  in  1560. 

NICOTIANINA  or  NICOTIANINE.  A  concrete  or 
solid  oil  obtained  from  tobacco,  and  one  of  its  active  principles. 
See  Nicotin. 

NICOTIN.  An  alkaloid  obtained  from  tobacco,  and  one  of 
its  active  principles.     See  Nicotianina. 

NIERSTEINER.  A  good  second-class  wine,  produced  in 
the  vineyards  surrounding  Nierstein,  near  Mayence,  on  the 
Rhine. 

NILOMETER.  A  graduated  column  for  measuring  the 
increase  and  decrease  of  the  Nile  (Gr.  [ji^etpov,  a  measure). 

NIOBIUM.  A  metal  recently  discovered  in  tanlatite  in 
Bavaria  ;  so  named  from  Niobe,  daughter  of  Tantalus. 


VEUBA    NOMINALIA.  207 

NISSOLIA.  A  genus  of  Soutli  American  plants  ;  named 
byJacquin  and  Linnaeus  in  memory  of  William  NissoUe,  M.D., 
of  Montpellier,  author  of  several  botanical  essays,  and  men- 
tioned as  an  excellent  naturalist  by  Tournefort,  who  dedicated 
a  supposed  genus  to  him. 

NIVERNOIS.  A  hat  much  worn  in  1770.  "  It  was  ex- 
ceedingly small,  and  the  flaps  fastened  up  to  the  shallow 
crown,  which  was  seen  above  them,  by  hooks  and  eyes.  The 
corner  worn  in  front  was  of  the  old  spout  or  shovel  shape,  and 
stiffened  out  by  a  wire  "  (Planche),  Doubtless  so  called  from 
Le  Nivernois  or  Nivernais,  an  old  province  of  France,  now 
composing  dep.  Nievre;  or  from  Nievre,  or  its  capital,  Nevers, 
where  they  were  tirst  worn. 

NIZZARD.  A  native  of  Nizza  or  Nice,  in  France  ;  for- 
merly a  division  of  the  continental  portion  of  Sardinia. 

NOACHIAN.  Pertaining  to  Noah,  or  to  his  time,  as  the 
Noachian  flood. 

NOBILFS  FIGURES.  The  name  given  to  an  electro- 
chemical phenomenon  discovered  by  Nobili. 

NONTRONITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  silica,  peroxide 
of  iron,  alumina,  magnesia,  clay,  and  water,  occurring  in  an 
ore  of  manganese,  in  the  arrondissement  of  Nontron,  Fi-ance, 
dep.  Dordogne. 

NOOTH'S  APPARATUS.  A  series  of  three  glass  vessels, 
placed  vertically,  for  the  purpose  of  impregnating  water  with 
carbonic  acid  gas  {Brande)  ;  invented  by  Nooth. 

NORFOLK  CRAG  (better  known  as  Norwich  Crag). 
In  geology,  an  English  tertiary  formation,  consisting  of  irre- 
gular, ferruginous,  sandy  clay,  mixed  with  marine  shells. 

NORMAN.  In  seaman's  language,  a  sliort  wooden  bar,  to 
be  thrust  into  a  hole  of  the  windlass,  on  which  to  fasten  the 
cable  ;  probably  named  from  the  inventor. 

NORTHAMPTON  TABLES.  Life  assurance  tables  based 
upon  the  calculation  of  the  average  mortality  in  North- 
ampton. 

NORWICHER.  More  than  one's  share  ;  said  of  a  i)erson 
who  leaves  less  than  half  the  contents  of  a  tankard  for  his 
companion.     In  what  the  term  originated,  or  why  Norwich 


208  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

was  selected,  before  any  other  city,  I  have  not  been  able  to 
discover. — J.  C.  H. 

NORY.  Mathematical  tables  comprising  logarithms,  num- 
bers, sines,  tangents,  quo-sines,  and  quo-tangents,  with  minor 
tables  of  lunar  phases  and  equations  of  time,  calculated  and 
published  by  the  late  Mr.  Nory. 

NUITS  {vin  de  Nuits).  A  fine  Burgundy  wine  ;  named 
from  Nuits,  dep.  Cote-d'Or,  situated  in  a  fine  wine  country. 

NUREMBERG  EGGS.  The  name  given  to  watches,  or 
pocket  clocks,  originally  of  an  oval  form,  and  generally  be- 
lieved to  have  been  first  invented  at  Nuremberg.  Cf.  Proc. 
Soc.  Antiq.  Lond.  May,  1848,  p.  267,  and  Beckman,  Orig. 
Invent. 

NUSSIERITE.  A  mineral  containing  phosphoric  acid, 
arsenic  acid,  oxide  of  lead,  lime,  protoxide  of  iron,  chloride 
of  lead,  and  silica  ;  found  at  La  Nussiei'e,  near  Beaujeu,  dep. 
Rhone,  France. 

NUTTALLITE.  A  mineral  occurring  in  prismatic  crys- 
tals at  Boston,  in  Massachusetts  ;  by  some  considered  as 
identical  with  seapolite  ;  the  wernerite  of  Haiiy  ;  named  after 
Px'ofessor  Nuttall. 


O. 


OAKS.     See  Derby. 

OBRINE  (KNIGHTS  OF).  A  military  order,  instituted 
in  the  thirteenth  century  by  Conrad,  Duke  of  Mazovia  and 
Cujavia,  whom  some  authors  call  also  Duke  of  Poland.  Con- 
rad I.  styled  it  the  Order  of  Jesus  Christ  ;  but  he  having  put 
the  knights  in  possession  of  Fort  Obrine,  in  the  county  of 
Cedeliz,  in  Cujavia,  they  hence  took  the  name  of  Knights  of 
Obrine.  The  principal  object  of  the  order  was  to  oppose  the 
incursions  of  the  Prussians  in  Poland,  but  the  Prussians 
blocking  up  the  fort,  so  that  none  of  the  knights  could  get  out, 
the  order  became  useless,  and  was  soon  suppressed  by  Conrad, 
who  called  to  his  assistance  the  Teutonic  Knights.  — 
T.  Wright,  M.A. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  201) 

OBSIDIANUM  (Vitrwa  ohsidianum,  Plin.)  A  species  of 
glass  which  resembled  the  obsidian  stone  (the  obsidianiis 
lapis  of  Pliny,  in  Isid.  ohsins  lapis).  Another  name  for  the 
Chian  marble.  Some  derive  the  word  from  o^ig,  seeing, 
being  called  by  Greek  writers  ovJ/<avo^,  and  not  o^l/iSiavoi  ; 
others  from  one  Obsidius,  Avho  discovered  it  in  Ethiopia.  The 
stone  was  quite  black  and  transparent,  and  therefore  used  for 
mirrors  (Plin.  H.  N.  xxxvi.  26);  also  images  and  various 
other  things  were   made   from   it:    hence,    Ohsidiana   imago; 

Ohsidianos  elei^hautos,  Plin.  ib. A  sort  of  colour  with  which 

vessels  were  glazed  {Plin.) Glass  of  antimony  (Labavius). 

The  terms  obsidioual  crown,  obsidional  coins,  are  from  a  diffe- 
rent root. 

OBSIDIAN.  Glossy  lava,  a  mineral  of  two  kinds,  trans- 
lucent and  transparent,  consisting  chiefly  of  silica  and  alumina, 
with  slight  admixtures  of  potash,  lime,  soda,  and  the  oxide  of 
iron  and  manganese  ;  from  obsidianum,  q.v. 

CEDERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  CoJiipositce ;  called 
after  Q3der,  a  Danish  botanist. — Crabb. 

OGYGIAN.  Of  great  and  dark  antiquity  {Lempriere)  ; 
lit.  pertaining  to  Ogyges,  the  most  ancient  monarch  in  Greece, 
and  to  a  great  deluge  in  Attica  in  his  days.  His  death  is 
fixed  in  Blair's  Chronological  Tables  at  B.C.  1764. 

OHM'S  LAW.  An  nnportant  law  which  refers  to  all  the 
causes  that  tend  to  impede  the  action  of  the  voltaic  battery. 
It  is,  that  "  the  intensity  of  an  electric  current,  when  a  battery 
is  in  action,  is  directly  as  the  whole  electromotive  force  in 
operation,  and  inversely  as  the  sum  of  all  the  impediments  to 
conduction  ;"  named  after  Ohm,  avIio  discovered  it. 

OIDIUiAI  TUCKERI.  The  term  oidium  (iVom  Gr.  wov  an 
egg,  £(Jov  form),  for  the  vine  disease,  was  given  it  from  the 
circumstance  of  the  abuornal  condition  of  the  vine  being  at- 
tributed to  a  fungus  propagated  by  sporules  excessively  minute, 
which  are  contained  in  an  oval  or  egg-shapetl  seed-pod. 
Edward  Tucker,  a  gardener  in  jNIargate,  was  the  first  to 
observe  and  notice  it  in  England  (in  1845)  ;  and  hence  it  is 
to  this  day  known  under  the  name  of  Oidium  Tucheri. 

OISANITE    or   OYSANITE.      A   pyramidical  ore   of  ti- 


210  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

tanium,  occurring  abundantly  near  Oysans,  in  Dauphine.  It 
is  the  same  with  anatase  and  octahedrite,  which  are  found  in 
France,  Norway,  Spain,  and  some  parts  of  South  America. 

OLBERS.  A  name  given  to  the  planet  Pallas,  after  Dr. 
Olbers,  by  whom  it  was  discovered  in  1802. 

OLDBUCK.  An  antiquary  ;  from  the  name  of  a  character 
in  Sir  W.  Scott's  Antiquary. — J.  C.  H. 

OLD  NICK.  The  evil  one  ;  from  Nick,  in  the  Northern 
mythology,  an  evil  spirit  of  the  waters.  Knicker  was  one  of 
the  names  of  Odin,  as  the  destroying  or  evil  sj)irit.  According 
to  others,  the  term  was  derived  from  Nicolo  Macchiavelli,  the 
celebrated  political  writer.  "  Out  of  his  surname  they  have 
coined  an  epithet  for  a  knave,  and  out  of  his  Christian  name  a 
synonyme  for  the  devil"  {^Ed.  Rev.,  March,  1827). 

"  Nick  Machiavel  had  ne'er  a  trick, 
Tho'  he  gave  his  name  to  our  old  Nick." 

Hudibras,  Fart  iii.,  Canto  1. 

OLfiEON  LAWS.  The  laws,  constituencies,  or  judgments 
of  Oleron  are  a  capitulary  of  ancient  maritime  customs, 
written  in  old  French,  and  bearing  the  name  of  Oleron  for 
several  centuries,  because  tradition  points  to  the  island  so 
called,  in  the  French  department  of  Charente-Inferieure,  as  the 
place  of  their  original  promulgation.  It  has  been  commonly  held 
that  these  laws  were  made  by  Richard  I.  of  England,  at 
Oleron,  on  his  return  from  the  Ploly  Land,  but  there  is  no 
ground  for  the  statement,  and  there  are  strong  reasons  for 
assigning  them  to  an  earlier  date  than  that  of  Richard  I. 

OLIVER.  A  dogcart,  or  wheel  cai'riage,  on  the  American 
plan,  lately  built  by  Mr.  Mulliner,  of  Northampton,  of  im- 
ported hickory  ;  named  after  Captain  Oliver,   of  Sholebooke 

Lodge,  Towcester,  for  whom  it  was  first  made. The  moon. 

"  Oliver  don't  whiddle,"  i.e..  The  moon  does  not  shine  (Bul- 
wer's  P.  Clifford). 

OLYMPIAD.  A  period  of  four  years,  reckoned  from  one 
celebration  of  the  Olympic  games  to  another,  and  constituting 
an  important  epoch  in  history  and  chronology.  The  first 
Olympiad  commenced  776  years  b.c,  and  23  years  before  the 


VERBA    MOMINALIA.  211 

foundation  of  Rome.  The  computation  by  Olympiads  ceased 
at  the  364th  Olympiad,  in  the  year  440  of  the  Christian  era. 
See  next. 

OLYMPIC  GAMES,  or  OLYMriCS.  Solemn  games 
among  the  ancient  Greeks,  dedicated  to  Olympian  Jupiter, 
celebrated  once  in  four  years  at  Olympia. 

ONANISM.     The  crime  of  the  Scripture  Onan. 

ONOFRITE.  A  mineral  composed  of  mercury,  sulphur, 
and  selenium  ;  occurring  at  San  Onofre,  in  Mexico  ;  also 
near  Clausthal,  in  the  Harz. 

OPUNTIA.  The  same  with  Cactus  Opuntia  ;  "  ab  opunte, 
from  the  city  Opus,  near  which  it  flourished  "  {Forsyth).  A 
name  given  by  botanists  to  those  cactaceous  plants  which 
gardeners  call  Indian  figs.  On  one  of  them,  Opuntia  co- 
chenillifera,  the  cochineal  insect  is  fed,  and  others  yield  a 
pleasant  subacid  fruit,  which  is  eaten  in  hot  countries, 

OllENBURGH  GUM  {Gummi  Orenburg ense).  A  gum 
which  issues  from  the  pinus  larix,  Avhence  the  larch  forests  in 
Russia  take  fire  ;  so  called  from  Orenburg,  an  extensive 
government  of  the  Russian  empire,  where  it  is  found. 

ORGEIS.  A  fish,  called  also  organ-ling  ;  supposed  to  be 
from  the  Orkneys,  on  whose  coast  it  is  taken. — Johnson. 

ORICIA.  A  species  of  fir  or  turpentine  tree  ;  from  Oricus, 
a  city  of  Epirus,  near  which  it  grows. — Forsyth. 

ORIGENISM,  The  doctrines  or  tenets  of  Origen  of 
Alexandria,  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  learned  of  the  Greek 
Fathers,  who  flourished  in  the  third  century.  He  united 
Platonism  with  Christianity  ;  supposed  that  human  souls 
existed  before  their  union  with  bodies  ;  that  they  were  origi- 
nally holy,  but  became  sinful  in  the  pre-existent  state  ;  that  all 
men  probably  will  at  last  be  saved,  and  that  Christ  is  again  to 
die  for  the  salvation  of  devils. — Murdoch, 

ORLEANS.     A  cloth  made  of  worsted  and  cotton,  used  for 

dresses,    &c.  ;    from    Orleans,    in    France. Orleans   (vulg. 

arline)  plum,  a  large  and  common  variety  of  plum. 

ORONOCO  or  ORONOKO.  One  of  the  principal  kinds 
of  tobacco  imported  into  England  from  Orinoco,  one  of  the 
gi-eat  divisions  of  the  republic  of  Venezuela,  South  America. 


T3       »> 


212  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

ORONTIACE^.  A  genus  of  herbaceous  plants  ;  named 
from  Orontum,  the  principal  genus,  of  which  there  are  only 
two  species — Aquatic  0.,  native  of  rivers  and  pools  in  North 
America,  and  Japan  0.,  both  perennials,  and  cultivated  at  Kew. 
The  genus  is  said  to  have  been  so  called  from  growing  on  the 
banks  of  the  Orontes,  in  Syria. 

ORPHEAN  or  ORPHIC.  Pertaining  to  Orpheus,  a  poet  who 
had  the  power  of  moving  inanimate  bodies  by  the  music  of  his 
lyre  ;  as,  Orphic  hymns. 

ORPHIC  A.  Certain  works  falsely  ascribed  to  Orpheus, 
which  embodied  the  opinions  of  a  class  of  persons  described 
by  Miiller.  Fabricius's  Bibliotheca  Graeca  contains  a  list  of 
the  writings  ascribed  to  Orpheus.  But  see  Tiedemann's 
Initia  Philos.  Grgec,  p.  1-100  ;  Fabric,  Bib.  Grasc.  I.,  p.  140  ; 
Clinton's  Fasti  ;  Funke's  Real.  SehuUexicon  ;  P.  Cyc, 
"  Orphica." 

ORRERY.  An  astronomical  machine  for  exhibiting  the 
several  motions  of  the  heavenly  bodies.  It  was  invented  by 
George  Graham,  but  Rowley,  a  workman,  borrowed  one  from 
him,  and  made  a  copy  for  the  Earl  of  Orrery,  after  whom  it 
was  named  by  Sir  Richard  Steele.  Similar  machines  are 
called  also  planetariums  (Barloiv).  The  origin  of  the  term 
"  orrery  "  is  thus  given  by  Mr.  Desaguliers,  in  his  Course  of 
Experimental  Philosophy,  4to,  London,  1734,  I.  p.  431. 
After  stating  his  belief  that  Mr.  George  Graham,  about  1700, 
first  invented  a  movement  for  exhibiting  the  motion  of  the 
earth  about  the  sun  at  the  same  time  that  the  moon  revolved 
round  the  earth,  he  remarks,  "  This  machine  being  in  the 
hands  of  an  instrument  maker,  to  be  sent  with  some  of  his 
own  instruments  to  Prince  Eugene,  he  copied  it,  and  made  the 
first  for  the  late  Earl  of  Orrery,  and  then  several  others,  with 
additions  of  his  own.  Sir  Richard  Steele,  who  knew  nothing 
of  Mr.  Graham's  machine,  in  one  of  his  lucubrations,  thinking 
to  do  justice  to  the  first  encourager,  as  well  as  to  the  inventor, 
of  such  a  curious  instrument,  called  it  an  orrery,  and  gave  Mr. 
J.  Rowley  the  praise  due  to  Mr.  Graham  "  (P.  C?/c.) 

ORVIETAN  (Fr.  orvietan).  An  antidote  or  counter 
poison  ;  also  a  charlatan,  an  empiric  ;  It.  orvietano ;  so  called 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  213 

from  a  cluulatan  of  Orvieto,  who  first  made  it.  "  From  a 
mountebank  of  Orvieta  (Orvieto  ?),  in  Italy,  who  first  made 
himself  famous  by  taking  such  things  upon  the  stage,  after 
doses  of  pretended  poisons.  Though  some  say  its  inventor 
was  one  H.  F.  Orvietanus,  and  that  it  is  named  after  him  " 
{Forsyth).  Menage  (writing  in  1694)  says  the  charlatan  in 
question  was  not  long  since  living  in  Paris. 

OSBECKIA.  A  plant  of  two  species,  the  one,  native  of 
the  East  Indies  and  China,  called  by  the  Chinese  komm-hyong- 
loaa,  "  feather  of  gold  roses;"  the  other,  native  of  Ceylon,  where 
it  was  found  by  Kcenig  ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of 
Peter  Osbeck,  rector  of  Hasloef  and  Woxtorp,  in  Sweden  ; 
member  of  the  Academy  of  Stockholm,  &c.  ;  author  of  a 
Voyage  to  China  and  the  East  Indies  in  1751. 

OSMANLI.  The  language  of  the  Osman  or  Ottoman 
Turks,  who  form  the  ruling  portion  of  the  Turkish  empire. 
*'  It  is  spoken  by  persons  of  rank  and  education,  and  by  all 
government  authorities  in  Syria,  in  Egypt,  at  Tunis,  and  at 
Tripoli.  In  the  southern  provinces  of  Asiatic  Russia,  along 
the  borders  of  the  Caspian,  and  through  the  whole  of  Turkes- 
tan it  is  the  language  of  the  people.  It  is  heard  even  at  the 
Court  of  Teheran,  and  is  understood  by  official  personages  in 
Persia"  {Max  Midler).  The  Avord  originated  in  Othman  or 
Osman,  a  sultan  who  assumed  the  government  about  1300,  and 
whose  descendants  were  called  Osmanli  or  Ottomans. 

OSMUND.  A  plant  of  the  genus  Osmunda,  whose  most 
remarkable  species  is  the  Osmund  royal,  or  flowering  fern, 
which  is  used  in  stiffening  liuen.  "According  to  Gerarde 
(herbal),  it  is  a  type  or  memorial  of  one  Osmund,  a  waterman, 
whose  history  had  not  come  down  even  to  that  old  writer,  but 
whose  heart,  he  says,  was  commemorated  in  the  core  of  the 
root."  "  Osmunda,  from  Osmund,  who  first  used  it "  {Forsyth). 
OSNABURGr.  A  species  of  coarse  linen,  of  which  there 
are  two  kinds,  the  one  white,  the  other  brown ;  imported  from 
Osnaburg  (Osnabriick),  Hanover. 

OTAHEITE  SALEP.  Another  name  for  Tacca  starch,  or 
Tahiti  arrowroot ;  from  Tahiti,  or  Otaheite,  the  principal  of 
the  Society  Islands. 


214  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

OTTOA.  A  genus  of  umbelliferous  plants ;  named  in 
honoui'  of  Frederick  Otta,  a  Prussian  botanist. 

OTTOMAN.  A  sort  of  thick-stuffed  mat  used  by  the 
Turks  or  Ottomans. In  England,  a  stool  with  a  stuffed  seat. 

OTTRELITE.  A  mineral,  colour  blackish-grey,  greenish- 
grey,  black ;  found  in  clay  slate  at  Ottrez,  near  Stavelot,  on 
the  frontier  of  Luxemburg. 

OUT-HEROD.  To  overact  the  character  of  Herod,  whicli 
in  the  old  plays  was  always  a  violent  one. — Smart. 

"  It  out-herod's  Herod." — Hamlet. 

OXFORD  CLAY.  Clunch  clay;  a  great  argillaceous  bed 
interposed  between  the  lower  and  the  middle  oolite.  In  its 
lower  part  are  beds  of  limestone  called  Kelloway  rock. 

OZARKITE.  A  mineral  occurring  with  elceolite  at  the 
Ozark  Mountains,  Arkansas. 


P. 


PACCHIONIAN  GLANDS.  The  small  round  whitish 
granulations  found  in  the  superior  longitudinal  sinus  of  the 
membranes  of  the  brain,  whicli  Pacchioni  incorrectly  described 
as  conglobate  glands. 

PACTOLIAN.  Pertaining  to  Pactoius,  a  river  of  Lydia, 
famous  for  its  golden  sands. —  Webster. 

PACTOLUS.  A  genus  of  brachyurous  Crustacea,  of  only 
one  species,  locality  unknown  {Encyc.  Met.') ;  named  from  the 
River  Pactoius. 

PADDY,  PAT,  or  PADDY   WHACK.     An  Irishman. 

"  I'm  Paddy  Whack,  from  Ballyhack, 
Not  long  ago  turn'd  soldier ; 
In  storm  and  sack,  in  front  attack, 

None  other  can  be  boulder," — Irish  Song. 

From  Paddy,  nickname  for  Patricius.  "  The  meanest  subjects 
of  the  Roman  empire  assumed  the  illustrious  name  of  Patricius, 
which,  by  the  conversion  of  Ireland,  has  been  communicated 
to  a  whole  nation  "  (Gibbon,  vol,  6,  c.  xxxvi.) 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  215 

PADRA.  A  kind  of  black  ten  of  superior  quality;  perhaps 
from  Padra.  a  town  of  Guzerat. 

PADUAN  COINS.  A  modern  coin,  closely  imitating  the 
antique ;  or  a  new  medal  struck  with  all  the  marks  and  cha- 
racters of  antiquity.  The  name  is  derived  from  Paduan  or 
Paduanus,  who  succeeded  so  well  in  this  kind  of  forgery  that 
the  best  judges  are  at  a  loss  to  distinguish  his  medals  from 
genuine  ones.  Paduan,  who  flourished  in  the  seventeenth 
century,  was  called,  from  his  birthplace,  Padua ;  his  proper 
name  was  Giovanni  Cavino  (others  say  Lewis  Lee).  Gotlieb 
Rink  says  he  had  an  associate  in  his  forgery  named  Alexander 
Bassianus.  His  son  Octavian,  though  born  at  Rome,  was  also 
called  the  Paduan.  Properly,  those  medals  only  are  called 
Paduan  that  are  struck  on  the  matrices  of  the  elder  Paduan, 
which  are  still  preserved.  The  term,  however,  is  commonly 
applied  to  medals  generally  that  closely  imitate  the  ancient,  and 
are  of  masterly  execution.  Joubert  observes  that  there  have 
been  a  Paduan  and  a  Parmesan  in  Italy,  and  a  Carteron  in 
Holland,  who  had  the  knack  of  imitating  the  antique  in  per- 
fection. The  Parmesan  was  Laurentius  Parmesanus.  We 
may  also  add  another  Italian  who  excelled  in  this  way,  viz., 
Valerius  Bellus  Vicentinus. 

PADUASOY.  A  kind  of  silk  stuff  from  Padua  (Fr.  soie, 
silk).  "By  tailors  called  Paddaway,  a  mispronunciation  of 
Padua"  (.S'.  F.  C.) 

P-^AN  or  PEAN  (Gr.  Ttaiav).  Among  the  ancients,  a 
song  of  rejoicing  in  honour  of  Ilaioov,  Apollo:  hence  a  loud 
and  joyous  song;  a  song  of  triumph. 

P^ON  (Gr.  iraiujv ;  written  also,  though  less  correctly, 
pgean).  In  ancient  poetry,  a  foot  of  four  syllables,  of  which 
there  were  four  kinds ;  so  called  from  Hatoov,  Apollo. 

P^ONY  (ircciouvia).  A  plant  and  flower  of  the  genus 
Pceonia,  nat.  or.  Ranunculacece ;  so  called  from  Hoacvv,  Apollo, 
who  is  said  to  have  first  applied  it  to  medicinal  purposes. 

PAISBERGITE.  A  mineral  allied  to  Rhodonite;  from 
Paisberg's  iron  mine,  in  Phillipstadt,  Sweden. 

PAISLEY.  A  shawl  made  at  Paisley,  co.  Renfrew 
(Scotland)  ;    celebrated    also    for    its    manufactures    of    silk 


216  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

and    other    shawls,    muslin,    cotton    thread,    and    ornamental 
fancy  goods. 

PAIXHAN.  A  howitzer  of  great  weight  and  strength, 
used  by  the  Americans  for  throwing  shells  of  a  very  large  size, 
first  adopted  in  France  about  1824  ;  named  after  the  inventor, 
Henri  Joseph  Paixhaus,  general  of  artillery  in  the  French 
army,  author  of  many  military  works;  born  in  1783  at  Metz, 
in  France. 

PALACE.  A  magnificent  house  in  which  an  emperor, 
king,  or  other  distinguished  person  resides ;  from  the  Fr. 
palais,  L.  jialatium ;  so  named  from  the  first  imjDerial  residence 
on  the  Palatium  or  Palatine  Hill,  one  of  the  seven  hills  of 
Rome,  the  first  that  was  built  upon.  The  emperor  Augustus 
dwelt  on  this  hill,  and  many  fine  palaces  were  consequently 
built  there. 

PALADIN  (anc.  palatin,  i.e.  man  of  the  palace,  of  the 
court).  A  knight-errant.  In  the  old  romances  the  name  was 
given  to  certain  knights  whose  whole  occupation  was  to  seek 
adventures,  and  to  find  out  occasions  to  exercise  their  valour 
and  to  prove  their  gallantry.  At  the  close  of  their  adventures 
they  retired  in  the  palaces  of  the  princes,  where  they  were 
received  with  courtesy,  and  notably  in  the  palace  of  King 
Arthur,  at  whose  court,  it  is  said,  commenced  the  mania  of 
knight-eiTuutry.     See  Palace. 

PALAGONITE.  A  mineral  found  as  an  ingredient  of  the 
volcanic  tufa  near  Palagonia,  in  the  Val  di  Noto,  in  Sicily,  and 
also  in  Iceland. 

PALAMPO.  A  quilt  or  bed-cover ;  probably  from  Palan- 
pore,  a  town  of  India,  renowned  for  its  manufacture  of  chintz 
counterpanes. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

PALAVIA.  A  genus  of  South  American  plants,  of  two 
species ;  named  by  Linna3us  in  honour  of  Dr.  Antonio  Palau 
y  Verdera,  professor  of  botany  in  the  royal  garden  at 
Madrid. 

PALEMPUREZ.  A  kind  of  carpet  brought  from  the  East 
Indies.  "  Palemporez,  a  species  of  Indian  dimity,  of  elegant 
patterns,  used  for  bed  coverlets.  They  are  sometimes  flowered 
with   gold,   made   of  silk,   and    worked    in    shawl   and   other 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  217 

patterns  of  coloured  woven  cotton "  (Sitnmonds) ;  doubtless 
from  Prtlilunporo,  pres.  Bombay  ;  or  Pahlunpore  in  Guzerat. 

PALLADIUM  (Gr.  iraWccStov).  Something  that  affords 
effectual  defence,  protection,  and  safety  ;  as  when  we  say  the 
trial  by  jury  is  the  palladium  of  our  civil  rights  ;  primarily,  a 
statue  of  Pallas,  which  represented  her  as  sitting  with  a  pike 
in  her  right  hand,  and  in  her  left  a  distaff  and  spindle.  On 
the  preservation  of  this  statue  depended  the  safety  of  Troy. 
"  The  Romans,  imagining  that  ^neas  brought  the  true  Palla- 
dium to  Rome,  preserved  the  image  with  the  utmost  care  as 

their    safeguard"    (Crabb). A   metal    drawn    from    crude 

platina,  discovered  by  "Wollaston  in  1803. 

PALLAS.  A  new  planet  discovered  by  Dr.  Olbers,  of 
Bremen,  in  1802;  named  after  Pallas,  goddess  of  wisdom. 

PALLASIA.  A  genus  of  North  American  plants,  nat.  or. 
Corymbiferce ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of  Dr.  Peter 
Simon  Pallas,  the  celebrated  Prussian  naturalist. 

PALMERSTONISM.  The  ism  of  Lord  Palmerston;  old- 
soldierism  ;  soft-soap;  lip-salve  for  the  million;  rhodomoutade. 

PANDEAN  PIPES.  An  ancient  wind  instrument  made 
of  reeds ;  named  after  Pan,  god  of  shepherds,  &c.,  who  in- 
vented the  flute  with  seven  reeds,  which  he  called  Syrinx,  in 
honour  of  a  beautiful  nymph  of  the  same  name. 

PANDER,  prop.  PANDAR.     A  pimp,  a  procurer. 

"  To  whom  you  should  have  been  a  pandar." 

M.  W.  of  Windsor. 

"  Troilus  the  first  employer  of  pandars." 

M.  Ado  about  Nothing. 

"  Camillo  was  his  help  in  this,  his  pandar." — W.'s  Tale. 

"  Let  all  pitiful  goers-between  be  call'd  to  the  world's  end  after  my  name ; 
call  them  all  pandars." — Troilus  and  Cress. 

Pandarus  is  the  name  of  one  of  the  characters  in  Shakespeare's 
Troilus  and  Cressida.  "  From  Pandarus  (says  Skinner),  who 
procured  the  love  and  good  graces  of  Chryseis  ;  which  impu- 
tation, it  may  be  added,  depends  upon  no  better  authority  than 
the  fabulous  histories  of  Dictys  Cretensis  and  Dares  Phrygius." 


218  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

PANIC  (Sp.  and  It.  panico ;  Fr.  jxmique ;  Gr.  Tfa.vmoa-'). 
Sudden  fright ;  particularly  a  sudden  fright  without  real  cause, 
or  terror  inspired  by  a  trifling  cause  or  misapprehension  of 
danger;  as,  panic  fear,  i.e.  extreme  or  sudden  fear;  the  troops 
were  seized  with  a  panic  ;  they  fled  in  a  panic  ;  lit.  agitated  by 
Pan,  the  frightful  deity  of  the  woods  or  shepherds,  also  god  of 
huntsmen,  and  all  (irav)  the  people  of  the  country.  "  Poly- 
nseus  fetches  the  origin  of  the  phrase  (panic  fear)  from  Pan, 
one  of  the  captains  of  Bacchus,  who,  with  a  few  men,  put  a 
numerous  army  to  rout,  by  a  noise  which  his  soldiers  raised  in 
a  rocky  valley,  favoured  with  a  great  number  of  echoes.  This 
stratagem  making  their  number  appear  much  greater  than  it 
really  was,  the  enemy  quitted  a  very  commodious  encampment 
and  fled.  Hence  all  ill-grounded  fears  have  been  called  jmnics 
or  2yanic  fears ;  and  it  was  this  that  gave  occasion  to  the  fable 
of  the  nymph  Echo  being  beloved  by  the  god  Pan.  Others 
derive  the  origin  of  the  expression  hence ;  that,  in  the  wars  of 
the  Titans  against  the  gods.  Pan  was  the  first  who  struck 
terror  into  the  hearts  of  the  giants.  Theon  on  Aratus  says  he 
did  it  by  means  of  a  sea-shell,  which  served  him  for  a  trumpet, 
whereof  he  was  the  inventor"  {^Chambers's  C>/c.) 

PANSLAVONIC.     A  term  used  to  express  a  union  of  all 
the  Slavonic  nations  (tfav,  all). 

PANTALOON  (Fr.  pantalon).     A  garment  for  males,  in 
which  breeches  and  stockings  are   in  a  piece  (ohs.);    in  the 

plural,    pantaloons,    a    sort    of    close    long    trowsers. A 

character  in  the  Italian  comedy. A  character  in  panto- 
mimes. 

"  And  as  the  French  we  conquer'd  once 
Now  give  us  laws  tor  pantaloons, 
The  length  of  breeches." — Hudib.  pt.  1,  c.  3. 

"The  next  age  shifts  into  the  lea,ne  and  slipper'd  pantaloone." — As  You 
Like  it. 

Webster  queries  the  W.  pa?inu,  to  involve,  or  panu,  to  cover, 
and  Fr.  talo7i,  the  heel.  Addison  says  the  pantaloon  in  Italian 
comedies  was  so  called  from  his  close  dress.  Meyrick  says, 
"  From  the  circumstance  of  the  standard-hearers  of  the  Vene- 


VEKBA    NOMINALIA.  219 

tian  army  wearing  tight  hose,  that  kind  of  dress  came  to  be 
called  pantaloons,  a  corruption  of  pianta  leone,  i.e.  '  plant  of 
Leon,'  the  standard  of  the  Republic  being  the  '  Lion  of  St. 
Mark.' "  !  !  !  Charpentier  (Origines)  says  the  name  and 
the  usage  of  the  pantalon  was  derived  from  the  Venetians, 
who  first  introduced  this  habit,  which  they  called  panta- 
loni,  from  St.  Pantaleon,  their  patron :  that  according  to 
others,  Pantalon  was  the  name  of  a  buffoon  in  the  Italian 
theatre,  clothed  ordinarily  in  this  manner,  which  gave  the 
name  oi pantalon  first  to  those  who  wore  this  sort  of  chaussure, 
and  finally  to  the  chaussure  itself.  J.  B.  J.  Breton  (Voyage 
en  Piemont,  8°'  1803,  vol,  1,  p.  167,  and  note  12  at  end), 
alluding  to  the  origin  of  the  characters  of  harlequin,  pantaloon, 
punch,  &c.,  says  each  of  these  masked  personages  was  origi- 
nally destined  to  characterise  the  principal  towns  of  Italy. 
"  Pantaleone  etoit  un  marchaud  Venitien;  Dottore,  un  medecin 
de  Bologne  ;  Spaviento,  un  tirailleur  ou  spadassin  de  Naples  ; 
PuUicinella,  un  goguenard  de  la  Pouille  (Apulia),  province  du 
meme  royaume  de  Naples,  dont  on  pretendoit  que  la  plupart 
des  habitans  etaient  bossus  ou  contrefaits;  Giangvrla  et  Coviello, 
des  pay  sans  de  la  Calabre  ;  Gelsomino,  un  petit  maitre  de 
Rome;  Beltrame,  un  niais  de  Milan;  Brighella,  un  intrigant  de 
Ferrara ;  et  enfin  Arlechino,  un  valet  de  Bergamo."  There  is 
a  town  in  Italy  called  Pantaleone,  and  Pantaleone  is  also  a 
surname.  Charpentier  says  also  that  pantalon  is  the  appella- 
tion of  a  vertical  harpsicord,  having  a  body  straighter  than 
the  ordinary  harpsicord,  and  that  it  was  named  after  its  in- 
ventor, Pantaleon  Hebenstreit,  who  made  it  known  at  the 
court  of  Dresden  in  1718. 

PAOLO  (Paul).     A  Roman  coin.     See  Paul. 

PAPHIAN.  Pertaining  to  the  rights  of  Venus,  who  was 
worshipped  at  Paphos  (hod.  Baffa),  a  city  of  Cyprus. 

PAPIRIA  (LEX).  The  Jus  Papirianum  was  a  collection 
of  ancient  Roman  laws,  containing  those  made  by  the  kings  of 
Rome,  and  compiled  immediately  after  their  expulsion.  It  is 
supposed  to  have  been  collected  by  Sextus  or  Publius  Papirius, 
and  is  sometimes  called  the  Lex  Papiria. 

PAPIST  (Fr.  papiste,  It.  papista).     A  Roman   Catholic ; 


220  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

one  that  adheres  to  the  Church  of  Rome  and  the  authority  of 
the  Papa  or  Pope. 

PAEACELSIAN.  A  follower  of  Pavacelsus,  a  celebrated 
Swiss  physician,  who  lived  at  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century. 
The  medical  practice  of  Paracelsus. 

PARADISE.  French  slang  for  the  gallery  of  a  theatre, 
"  up  amongst  the  gods." — J.  C.  Hotten. 

PARADISE  A.  Bird  of  Paradise,  a  genus  of  birds,  or. 
Piece,  which  chiefly  inhabit  New  Guinea. 

PARADISUS  {Granum  Paradisi,  grain  of  Paradise).  A 
pungent  seed  I'esembling  cardamom ;  named  on  account  of  its 
virtues. 

PARAMATTA.  A  soft  woollen  fabric  used  for  dresses, 
&c. ;  named  from  Paramatta,  a  town  of  New  South  Wales, 
where  it  is  manufactured. 

PARCHMENT  (L.  pergamena;  Fr.  parchemin;  Norm. 
pargam,  pargemin,  a  MS.  on  parchment;  Armor,  parich, 
parichemin  ;  It.  pargameno  ;  Sp.  pargamino ;  G-.  pergament ; 
D.  parkement).  The  skin  of  a  sheep  or  goat  prepared  and  ren- 
dered fit  for  writing  on.  It  was  invented  B.C.  198  by  Eume- 
iies  II.,  king  of  Pergamos,  in  Asia,  in  consequence  of  the 
prohibition  of  the  export  of  papyrus  from  Egypt  by  Ptolemy 
Epiphanes.  Pliny  says,  "  Eumenes  having  established  a  rival 
library  to  that  of  Ptolemy  Epiphanes,  the  Egyptian  monarch, 
in  a  fit  of  jealousy,  forbade  the  exportation  of  papyrus  from  his 
dominions,  and  that  the  invention  of  parchment  (C'harta  Per- 
gamena), or  perhaps  the  improvement  of  this  material,  was  the 
consequence." 

PARGASITE.  A  mineral,  a  variety  of  hornblende,  colour 
greyish  or  bluish  green  ;  from  Isle  Pargas,  in  Finland. 

PARIAN.     A  superior  kind  of  white  marble;  named  from 

Paros,  an  isle  in  the  ^gfean  Sea,  where  it  was  found. A 

chronicle  of  the  city  of  Athens,  which  was  engraved  on  marble 
in  capital  letters  in  the  Isle  of  Paros.  It  contained  a  chrono- 
logical account  of  events  from  Cecrops,  1582  B.C.,  to  the 
archonship  of  Diognetus,  264  B.C.  ;  but  the  chronicle  o 
the  last  ninety  years  is  lost.  This  marble  was  procured  from 
Asia  Minor  in  1627  by  the  Earl  of  Arundel,  and,  being  broken. 


VEimA    NOMINALIA.  221 

the  pieces  are  called  Amndelian  marbles.  They  are  now  de- 
posited in  the  University  of  Oxford.  The  antiquity  of  the 
inscription  has  been  disputed. — P.  Cyc.     Edin.  Encyc. 

PARIS.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  MelanthacecB,  of  two 
species,  natives  of  most  parts  of  Europe,  particularly  the 
northern  parts,  and  also  of  Japan.  The  juice  of  P.  quadrifolia, 
Herb  Paris,  True-Love,  or  One-Berry,  has  been  considered 
useful  in  inflammations  of  the  eyes.  Ambrosinus  derives  the 
word  a  paritate  foliomim,  from-  the  uniformity  or  equality  of  the 
four  leaves,  which  make,  as  it  were,  two  pairs,  equally  situated; 
but  it  was  more  probably  named  after  Paris,  who  adjudged  the 
golden  apple  to  Venus. 

PARKINSONIA.  A  plant,  a  small  tree,  called  in  Jamaica 
Jerusalem  thorn  ;  named  by  Plumier  in  memory  of  John  Par- 
kinson, apothecary  of  London,  author  of  Paradisus  Terrestris, 
1629,  and  Theatrum  Botanicum,  1640. 

PARMESAN.  A.  delicate  kind  of  cheese  made  at  Parma, 
in  Italy. 

PARNASSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  SaxifragacecB ; 
said  to  be  called  from  Mount  Parnassus,  on  which,  according 
to  Dioscorides,  a  plant  called  gramen  Parnassi  grew.  The 
name  was  altered  by  Tournefort  to  Pariiassia. 

PARNASSIAN.  Pertaining  to  Parnassus,  a  celebrated 
mountain  in  Greece,  sacred  to  Apollo  and  the  Muses. 

PARNEL.  A  wanton  immodest  girl ;  a  slut ;  doubtless 
named  from  a  character  in  one  of  the  old  plays ;  probably 
corrupted  from  Petronilla,  a  feminine  diminutive  of  Peter. 

PARSEEISM.  The  religion  of  the  Parsees  or  fire-wor- 
shippers of  India ;  substantially  the  religion  of  the  ancient 
Persians.  In  Persia  they  are  called  by  the  Mohammedans, 
Guebers,  infidels,  and  their  sacred  book  is  the  Zend-Avesta. 
The  Parsees,  who  reside  near  Surat  and  Bombay,  are  an 
honest  thrifty  people,  and  number  about  700,000. 

PARTSCHIN.  A  mineral  found  in  sand  from  Olahpian, 
in  Hungary,  with  rutil,  ilmenite,  zircon,  and  kyanite ;  named 
after  P.  Partsch,  of  the  Vienna  Museum. 

PASCALIN.  A  mathematical  instrument  invented  by  the 
celebrated  French  mathematician  Pascal. 


222  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

PASQUINADE  (found  pasquin  and  pasquil).  A  lampoon, 
a  satirical  writing. 

"  He  never  valued  any  pasquils  that  were  dropped  up  and  down,  to  think 
them  worthy  of  his  revenge." — Howel. 

"  The  pasquils,  lampoons,  and  libels  we  meet  with  now-a-days  are  a  sort 
of  playing  with  the  four  and  twenty  letters,  without  sense,  truth,  or  wit." — 
Tatler. 

Pasquino  was  the  name  of  a  Roman  cobbler  who  was  remark- 
able for  his  sneers  and  gibes.  Near  his  shop,  in  a  corner  of 
the  palace  of  the  Orsini,  was  dug  up  a  mutilated  statue,  which 
Avas  called  Pasquin.  From  it  having  been  customary,  in  later 
times,  to  paste  satiric  papers  upon  this  statue,  is  said  to  have 
originated  the  word  pasquinade.  "  Pasquin,  the  name  given 
to  a  mutilated  ancient  statue  which  stood  at  the  corner  of  the 
Palace  Santobuono,  in  a  small  open  place  in  the  city  of  Rome, 
near  the  Piazza  Navona.  It  represents  a  warrior  in  the  attitude 
of  defence.  The  subject  of  the  statue  is  not  known.  Pasquino 
was  the  name  of  a  tailor  who  lived  in  that  neighbourhood  '  many 
years  since,'  says  Parisio  in  his  Antiquities  of  Rome,  published 
A.D.  1600.  The  shop  of  Pasquino  was  a  sort  of  place  of 
meeting  for  the  people  of  the  district,  who  came  there  to  tell 
or  hear  the  news  of  the  day,  as  is  still  the  custom  in  the 
apothecaries'  shops  in  the  provincial  towns  of  Italy.  The 
tailor  was  a  facetious  man,  and  his  witty  sayings  were  styled 
'  Pasquinate,'  which  afterwards  became  a  common  appellation 
for  humourous  epigrams  and  sarcastic  lampoons,  a  kind  of 
composition  for  which  the  modern  Romans  are  noted.  These 
lampoons,  which  often  attacked  people  in  high  stations,  and  the 
government  itself,  were  fixed  in  the  night  on  or  near  the  statue 
already  mentioned  ;  and  thus  the  statue  itself  came  to  be  called 
Pasquino,  as  being  the  representative  of  the  witty  tailor  of 
that  name.  Collections  of  these  epigrams  have  been  made,  and 
some  of  them  are  very  witty,  though  often  scurrilous  and 
coarse"  (P.  Ci/c.)  The  writer  in  the  Encyc.  des  Gens  du 
Monde  concludes  :  "  Le  muet  Pasquin  recevait  sur  son  piedestal 
les  satires  et  les  epigrammes  adressees  a  la  cour  du  souverain 
pontife,  et  il  entretenait  a  cet  egard  un  echange  incessant  de 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  223 


bons  mots  avec  un  confrere  du  iiom  de  Marforio.  Cet  usage 
durait  encore  a  I'entreo  des  troupes  fran^aises  dans  les  £tats 
pontificaux.  Par  extension,  on  a  nomme  pasquinade  toute 
I'aillerio  satirique  lanc^e  contre  le  public  ou  contre  les  gens  en 
place.  Mais  en  g(§n6ral,  une  ixisquinade  est  un  bon  mot  de  bas 
^tage."  For  a  full  account  of  Pasquino,  see  Menage,  quoting 
Castelvetto,  in  his  work  entitled  Eagioni  d'alcune  cose  segnaie 
nella  Canzone  di  Messer'  Annibal  Caro. 

PATAGONULA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Cordiacece ; 
natives  of  Patagonia,  in  South  America, 

PATAVINITY.  The  use  of  local  words,  or  the  peculiar 
style  or  diction  of  Livy,  the  Roman  historian ;  so  called  from 
Patavium  (Padua),  in  Italy,  where  he  was  born. 

PAUL  (It.  Paolo).  A  silver  coin  of  Tuscany  and  the 
States  of  the  Church,  with  its  double,  half,  and  quarter.  In 
the  former  foi'ty-six,  and  in  the  latter  forty-five  pauls  are  equal 
to  an  English  sovereign ;  named  after  one  of  the  Popes  of 
Rome. 

PAUL  PRY.  An  inquisitive  person ;  so  named  from  a 
character  in  the  well-known  play  of  the  same  name,  in  which 

the  late  Mr.  Listen  gained  much  celebrity. "  An  infamous 

newspaper  so  called,  now  extinct "  {S.  F.  C.) 

PAULLINIA.  A  climbing  shrub,  some  species  of  which 
are  natives  of  the  East  Indies,  and  others  of  the  West  Indies, 
Jamaica,  Mexico,  the  Caribees,  Curasao,  vSouth  America,  &c.; 
named  by  Linngeus  after  Simon  Paulli,  professor  of  botany  at 
Copenhagen,  author  of  Botanicum  Quadripartitum,  1640,  and 
Flora  Danica,  1648. 

PAUSANIA.  A  Spartan  festival  in  honour  of  Pausanias, 
under  whose  conduct  the  Greeks  defeated  Mardonius  at  Platjeae. 
At  this  feast  there  were  public  games,  in  which  free-born 
Spartans  only  were  allowed  to  contend.  An  oration  was 
always  spoken  in  praise  of  Pausanias. 

PA  VAN  or  PAVIN  (Fr.  j^civane,  It.  and  Sp.  pavana).  A 
grave  dance  among  the  Spaniards. 

"  Your  Spanish  pavin  [is]  the  best  dance." 

13,  Jonson.     The  Alcliymist,  Act  iv.  sc.  2. 


224  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

"And  with  that  turning  up  of  his  mustachoes,  and  marching  as  if  he 
would  begin  a  paven,  he  went  toward  Zelmane." — Sidney.     Arcadia,  b.  iii. 

"Then  he's  a  rogue,  and  a  passy-measure  pavln ;  I  hate  a  drunken 
rogue." — Shahs.     Tw.  N. 

"Spanish  pavan—The'Engelscheindraeyende  Dans  Londesteyn' 
(the  turning  dance  of  London)  in  Friesche  Lust-Hof,  1634,  is 
another  version  of  this  tune.  The  two  first  bars  are  identical. 
/  love  my  love  for  love  again,  in  the  Skene  MS.,  is  the  same 
after  the  first  eight  bars.  '  Pavan.  Instrumental  players 
play  the  pavan  faster,'  says  Thoinot  Arbeau,  'and  call  it  the 
passamezzo  ' — Anglice,  the  passing  measures'  pavan.  Putten- 
ham  says,  '  Songs,  for  secret  recreation  and  pastime  in  cham- 
bers, with  company  or  alone,  were  the  ordinary  musickes 
amorous ;  such  as  miglit  be  sung  with  voice,  or  to  the  lute, 
cithern,  or  harpe ;  or  daunced  by  measures — as  the  Italian 
pavan  and  gulliard  are  at  these  daies  in  princes'  courts,  and 
other  places  of  honourable  or  civil  assembly'"  (Art  of  Poesie, 
p.  37,  reprint).  See  also  Chappell's  Popular  Music,  157,  242; 
772,  776.  "  In  this  dance  the  performers  make  a  kind  of 
wheel  before  each  other,  the  gentlemen  dancing  with  cap  and 
sword,  princes  with  long  robes,  and  the  ladies  with  long  trails, 
the  motions  resembling  the  stately  steps  of  the  peacock  (jjavo)  " 
{Enci/c. ;  Sp.  Diet.)  Hawkins  likewise  derives  the  word  from 
pavo,  a  peacock ;  but  according  to  the  Italian  writers,  pavan  is 
derived  from  Paduana,  i.e.  a  Paduan  dance,  a  dance  from 
Padua. 

PAVIN.     See  Pavan. 

PEA  (A.  S.  pisa,  Fr.  pois,  It.  ^?2seZfo,  Jj.  pisuvi,  Gr.  Tficrov). 
A  plant  of  the  genus  Pisum,  q.v. 

PEACH  (It.  pesca,  Fr.  jjeche,  G.  pfirsiclie,  Arab,  fiisic).  A 
tree,  and  its  fruit  of  many  varieties.  The  Avord  is  derived 
from  jjessicum,  for  Persicum  malum,  a  peach  ;  persica,  a  peach- 
tree  ;  literally  a  tree  and  fruit  from  Persia. 

PECKSNIFF.  A  hypocritical  rascal ;  from  a  character  in 
Dickens's  Martin  Chuzziewit  {J.  C.  Hotten);  a  character  said 
to  be  founded  on  that  of  a  late  shifty  minister,  whose  memory 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  225 

is  still  much  revered  by  the  present  age  of  hypocrisy  and 
humbug. 

PEDRO  XIMENES.  A  sweet  Spanish  wine  of  the  sherry 
grape  ;  named  after  the  grower. 

PEELER.  A  vulgar  appellation  given  to  a  policeman ;  so 
called  after  the  late  Sir  Robert  Peel,  who  brought  in  the  Police 
Act.  "  Properly  applied  to  the  Irish  constabulary  rather  than 
the  City  police,  the  former  force  having  been  established  by 
Sir  Robert  Peel "  (/.  C.  Hotten). 

PEEPING  TOM.  A  nickname  for  a  curious  prying  fellow, 
derived  from  an  old  legendary  tale  told  of  a  tailor  of  Coventry, 
who,  when  Godiva,  Countess  of  Chester,  rode  at  noon  quite 
naked  through  that  town,  in  order  to  procure  certain  immuni- 
ties for  the  inhabitants  (notwithstanding  the  rest  of  the  people 
shut  up  their  houses),  slily  peeped  out  of  a  hole  in  his  house,  for 
which  he  was  miraculously  struck  blind.  His  figure,  peeping 
out  of  a  window,  is  still  kept  up  in  remembrance  of  the  trans- 
action, and  an  annual  procession  is  still  held  at  Coventry,  in 
which  the  feat  of  Lady  Godiva  is  attempted  to  be  represented 
without  violating  the  principles  of  public  decency.  See 
Halliwell. 

PEGASUS.  One  of  the  forty-eight  old  northern  constel- 
lations, figured  in  the  form  of  a  winged  horse  ;  so  called  from 
Pegasus,  rLr^ya.a-rjg,  a  winged  horse,  generated  from  the  blood  of 

Medusa,  when  Perseus  cut  off  her  head. A  genus  of  fishes 

with  large  pectoral  fins,  by  means  of  which  they  take  short 
flights  or  leaps  through  the  air. 

PELAGIANISM.  The  doctrines  of  Pelagius,  a  monk  of 
Bangor,  in  Wales,  who  lived  in  the  fourth  century.  He  denied 
original  sin,  and  asserted  the  doctrine  of  free  will  and  the 
merit  of  good  works. 

PEN-^A.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  the  Cape;  named 
by  Linnasus  in  honour  of  Peter  Pena,  a  learned  Frenchman, 
who  afiforded  great  assistance  to  Lobel  in  the  composition  of 
his  Adversaria  Botanica,  published  in  1570. 

PENTELIC.  The  appellation  of  a  marble  resembling  the 
Parian,  but  somewhat  denser  and  finer  grained,  with  occasional 
greenish  zones,  produced  by  greenish  talc,  whence  it  is  called 


226  VERBA    NOMTNALIA. 

by  the  Italians  cipilino  statuario.  The  Parthenon,  Propyleum, 
the  Hippodrome,  and  other  monuments  at  Athens  were  made 
of  this  marble,  of  which  fine  specimens  may  be  seen  among  the 
Elgin  collection  in  the  British  Museum.  It  was  named  from 
Mount  Penteles,  near  Athens,  where  it  was  found. 

PENTZIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  the  Cape;  named 
by  Thunberg  after  his  puj^il  J.  C.  Pentz. 

PEPYSIAN.  A  valuable  collection  of  MSS.  of  naval 
memoirs,  prints,  ancient  English  poetry,  &c.,  bequeathed  to 
Magdalen  College,  Cambridge,  by  Samuel  Pepys,  secretary  to 
the  Admiralty,  temp,  Charles  II,  and  James  IL,  is  called  the 
Pepysian  Library,  in  honour  of  the  donor. 

PERALTIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants,  subor. 
Coesalpinice,  subshrubs,  natives  of  Mexico ;  named  in  honour 
of  Joseph  Peralt,  a  Spanish  botanist,  who  assisted  Hum- 
boldt in  collecting  several  botanical  specimens  in  South 
America. 

PERCYLITE.  A  mineral,  colour  sky-blue,  found  in  minute 
crystals,  accompanied  by  gold,  in  a  matrix  of  quartz  and  red 
oxide  of  iron ;  said  to  have  come  from  La  Sonora,  in  Mexico ; 
analysed  by  Dr.  Percy. 

PERESKIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Cactacece,  shrubs 
and  trees  ;  named  by  Plumier  in  honour  of  Nicholas  Fabricius 
Peiresk,  a  senator  of  Aix,  in  Provence,  celebrated  for  his 
botanical  learning. 

PERKINISM.  A  mode  of  treatment  introduced  by  Per- 
kins, of  America,  consisting  in  the  application,  to  diseased 
parts,  of  the  extremities  of  two  needles  made  of  different 
metals,  called  by  him  metallic  tractors. 

PERKINS.  Beer  ;  dandy  or  affected  shortening  of  the 
more  widely-known  slang  phrase,  "  Barclay  and  Perkins." — 
J.  C.  Hotten. 

PERMIAN.  A  geological  term  applied  to  magnesian  lime- 
stone by  Sir  R.  Murchison ;  from  Perm,  a  province  of  Russia, 
where  this  is  a  prominent  characteristic. — S.  F.  Creswell. 

PEROWSKITE.  A  mineral,  consisting  of  titanic  acid, 
lime,  magnesia,  and  protoxide  of  iron ;  found  at  Vogsburg,  on 
the  Kaiserstuhl,  and  at  Achmatowsk,  near   Slatoust,  in  the 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  227 

Ural ;  named  in  honour  of  Von  Perowski,  of  St.  Petersburg. 
The  mineral  tetraphyline  is  called  perowskine. 

PERROQUET  or  PARRAKEET  (Fr.  perroquet).  A 
small  sj^ecies  of  parrot.  Some  derive  the  French  word  from 
Perrot,  diminutive  of  Pierre  (Peter),  the  man's  name  given  to 
the  bird.  Menage  says,  "  Nous  avons  donne  des  noms  d'homme 
aux  animaux.  C'est  ainsi  que  nous  avons  appele  un  merle, 
Sansonnet ;  un  pie,  Ilargot ;  un  corbeau,  Colas ;  uu  geay,  Ri- 
chard; un  asne,  Ifartin ;  un  singe,  Pobert ;  un  ecureuil,  Fouquet; 
une  chevre,  G-uionne;  et  en  Basse  Normandie,  Janne."  Accord- 
ing to  others,  perroquet  is  a  diminutive  of  parrot;  from  L. 
parra,  a  bird  whose  cry  was  esteemed  an  ill  omen,  perhaps  a 
jay;  but  2^<^f'>'ot  itself  may  have  even  been  corrupted  from 
perroquet.  "  Probably  parrot  is  a  contracted  form  of  some 
Spanish  or  Portuguese  word  derived  from  parra  "  {S.  F.  C.) 

PERRYAN.  A  celebrated  steel  pen  invented  by  the  late 
Mr.  James  Perry,  of  London. 

PERSEPOLITAN.  Pertaining  to  Persepolis,  or  its  archi- 
tecture ;  in  ancient  geography,  the  cap.  of  Persis  Proper  and 
of  the  Persian  Empire. 

PERSEUS.  A  northern  constellation  of  fifty-nine  stars, 
the  principal  of  which  is  Algenib ;  named  after  Perseus,  son 
of  Jupiter  by  Danae. 

PERSIAN  FIRE  {Persicus  ignis).  A  term  applied  by 
Avicenna  to  a  carbuncle  attended  with  pustules  and  vesica- 
tions. 

PERSIAN  WHEEL.  A  contrivance  for  raising  water  to 
some  height  above  the  level  of  a  stream,  by  means  of  a  wheel 
with  buckets  on  its  rim. — Brande. 

PERSICA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Rosacece,  the  fruit 
of  which  is  known  by  the  English  name  of  peach  and  necta- 
rine; so  called  from  Persia,  of  which  it  is  a  native. 

PERSICARIA,  POLYGONUM  PERSICARIA.  A  plant; 
so  called  because  its  blossoms  are  like  those  of  the  p)ersica  or 
peach. 

PESTALOZZIAN.  Pertaining  to  the  system  of  education 
founded  by  Pestalozzi,  a  philosopher  and  philanthropist,  who 
was  born  at  Zurich   in   1745,  and  died  in  1827.     Pestalozzi's 

Q  2 


228  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

method  turns  on  the  idea  of  communicating  all  instruction  by- 
immediate  address  to  the  sensations  or  conceptions,  and  effect- 
ing the  education  of  the  child  by  constantly  calling  all  his 
powers  into  exercise.  He  composed  some  works  illustrative 
of  his  plans,  and,  among  other  productions  of  a  moral  tendency, 
wrote  the  romance  of  "  Leinhard  and  Gertrude." 

PETAGNA.  A  genus  of  herbs,  natives  of  Sicily ;  named 
in  honour  of  Vincent  Petagna,  a  Neapolitan  botanist,  author 
of  Institutiones  Botanic£e,  1787. 

PETER.  A  very  common  oath  or  imprecation  in  the  early 
English  writers;  "by  St.  Peter."     Cowslips.  Arch.  xxx.  411. 

A  portmanteau  or  cloak  bag  (a  bundle  or  valise,  Bulwer's 

Paul  Clifford). A  cash-box. Formerly  a  familiar  epithet 

applied    to    the    watermen,    fishermen,    and    mariners    of   the 

Thames  (Giff.) A  wine,  one  of  the  richest  and  most  delicate 

of  the  Malaga  wines,  generally  termed  Peter-see-me,  q.  v. 

PETER-BOAT.  A  fishing-boat ;  a  small  boat  formed  alike 
at  stem  and  stern,  and  which  may  be  rowed  with  either  fore- 
most at  pleasure  ;  or,  as  Fosbrooke  has  described  it,  "  precisely 
the  Roman  amphiprora."     See  Peter-Man. 

PETER-MAN.  "A  familiar  term  for  a  fisherman;  from 
the  occupation  of  St.  Peter  "  (T.  Wright,  M.A.)  "  Peterer  or 
Peterman,  one  who  follows  hackney  and  stage  coaches,  and 
cuts  off  the  portmanteaus  and  trunks  from  behind.  Nearly 
obsolete.  Ancient  term  for  a  fisherman,  still  used  at  Graves- 
end  "  {J.  C.  Hotten).  Cowel,  however,  renders  Peter-men, 
"  those  who  used  unlawful  arts  or  engines  for  catching  fish  on 
the  River  Thames."  See  also  Stow's  Survey  of  London,  p.  19. 
May  not  the  word,  therefore,  have  been  originally  peder-men, 
i.e.  men  who  unlawfully  used  baskets  or  ^^ec/s  to  catch  fish 
with  ?  The  word  Peterman  seems  also  to  have  had  another 
meaning.  John  Aubrey,  in  one  of  his  MSS.,  says  of  Kington 
Langley,  near  Chippenham,  "  Here  was  a  chapel  dedicated  to 
St.  Peter.  The  Revel  is  still  kept  (1670)  the  Sunday  after  St. 
Peters  Day:  it  is  one  of  the  eminentest  feastes  in  these  partes. 
Old  John  Wastefield  told  me  that  he  had  been  Peterman  in  the 
beginning  of  Her  Majesty's  reign."  A  correspondent  of  N.  & 
Q.,  referring  to  the  above,  asks,  "Is  it  probable  that  the  Peter- 


VERBA    NOMINA LI A.  229 

man  was  a  sort  of  master  of  the  ceremonies  at  the  revel  ?" 
See  N.  &  Q.,  vol.  vi.,  No.  149,  Sep.  4,  1852,  p.  223. 

PETER-PENCE.  An  annual  tax  or  tribute  formerly  paid 
by  the  English  to  the  Pope  ;  being  a  penny  for  every  house, 
payable  at  Lammas  Day  ;  so  called  from  St.  Peter.  It  was 
called  also  Romescot. — Hall. 

PETER -SEE -ME,  PETER- SA-MEENE,  PETER - 
SEMINE,  or  PETER.     A  rich  Malaga  wine. 

"  Peter-see-me  shall  wash  thy  nowl, 
And  Malligo  glasses  fox  thee." 

Middl.     Span.  Gipsy,  iii.  7. 

Said  to  be  corrupted  from  Pedro  Ximenes  (q.v.),  name    of   a 
Spanish  wine. 

PETER'S   FISH.     The  haddock.     It  has  spots  on  either 
side,  which  are  said  to  be  marks  of  St.  Peter's  fingers,  when 
he  caught  that  fish  for  the  tribute. —  T.  Wright,  M.A. 
PETERER.     See  Peter-Man. 

PETERSHAM.     Formerly,  a  great-coat  made  of  a  sort  of 
rough  cloth ;  named  after  Lord  Petersham,  who  probably  set 

the  fashion. "  A  large  hat  with  curly  brims,  now  worn  by 

old  dandies  "  {S.  F.  C.) 

PETER  WORT  or  SAINT  PETER'S  WORT.  A  plant 
of  the  genus  Ascyrum,  another  of  the  genus  Hypericum. 

PETIVERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Petiveriacece, 
whose  species  are  called  in  English  heniveed ;  named  in 
honour  of  James  Petiver,  F.R.S.,  an  eminent  English  botanist 
in  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  author  of  several 
works  on  history,  but  principally  celebrated  for  his  extensive 
collection  of  rare  and  various  plants,  animals,  and  insects, 
for  which,  after  his  death.  Sir  Hans  Sloane  gave  ^4000, 
and  which  now  form  part  of  the  collection  in  the  British 
Museum. 

PETREA.     A  genus  of  South  American  plants,  or.  Angio- 
spermia  ;  named  in  honour  of  Lord  Petre,  a  patron  of  botany. 
PETUNTSE.     See  Kaolin. 

PET  WORTH    MARBLE  ^Sussex  marble).     A  variously- 
coloured  limestone,  occurring   in  the  Weald  clay,  composed  of 


230  VEEBA   NOMINALIA. 

the  remains  of  fresh-water  shells  j  named  from  the  town  of 
Petworth. 

PEUTINGERIAN    TABLE.     An   epithet   applied   to   a 
rude  chart  drawn  on  parchment  by  an  unknoAvn  hand  during 
the  reign  of  Theodosius  the  Great,  and  marking  the  Roman 
military  roads  throughout  the  greatest  part  of  the  Western 
empire.     It  was  found  in  the  fifteenth  century,  in  the  library 
of  a  monastery  at  Speyer,  by  Conrad  Celtes,  who  presented  it 
to  Conrad  Peutinger,  a  learned  German  writer,  born  at  Augs- 
burg in  1465.     He  intended  to  publish  it,  but  it  did  not  appear 
for  several  years  after  his  death.     At  length  fragments  of  it 
were  found  and  published  at  Venice  in  1591,  under  the  title 
of  Fragmenta  Tabulae  Antiquae  ex  Peutingerarum  Bibliotheca. 
The  original  map  remained  at  Augsburg  in  the  possession  of 
Peutinger's  descendants  till  1714,  when  it  was  purchased  by 
Prince  Eugene,  who  gave  it  to  the  imperial  library  of  Vienna. 
An  exact  copy  of  it  was  made  by  F.  C.  von  Sclieyb  at  Vienna 
in  1753,  with  notes  and  dissertations,   and  dedicated  to  the 
Empress  Maria  Theresa.     See  T.  Wright. 

PETER'S  GLANDS  {Plexus  intestinales).  The  small 
glands  under  the  villous  coat  of  the  intestines  ;  first  discovered 
by  Peyer,  of  Schaifhausen,  who  described  them  in  a  work 
entitled  Exercitatio  Anatomico-Medica  de  Glandulis  Intestino- 
rum,  published  in  1677.  Von  Brun  compared  them  collec- 
tively to  a  second  pancreas,  and  after  him  they  have  been  also 
named  Brunner's  Glands. 

PH-^BE.  "A  dance  mentioned  in  an  old  nursery  rhyme. 
A  correspondent  gives  me  the  following  lines  of  a  very  old 
song,  the  only  ones  he  can  recollect : — 

'  Cannot  you  dance  the  Phwbe  ? 
Don't  you  see  what  pains  I  take  ? 
Don't  you  see  how  my  shoulders  shake  ? 
Cannot  you  dance  the  Phcebef'  " — Halliwell. 

Probably  so  called  from  Phcehe,  a  name  of  Diana,  or  the  moon. 
PHAETON.  An  open  carriage  like  a  chaise,  on  four 
wheels,  and  drawn  by  two  horses ;  so  called  from  Phaeton  (son 
of  Phoebus),  driver  of  the  chariot  of  the  sun.  Phaeton,  to 
prove  his  paternity,  begged  of  Phoebus  to  permit  him  to  guide 


VEKliA    NOiMlNALIA.  231 

his  chariot  of  the  suu,  in  doing  which  he  manifested  want  of 
skill,  and,  being  struck  with  a  thunderbolt  by  Jupiter,  was 
hurled  headlong  into  the  River  Po. 

"  Such  a  waggoner  as  Phaeton  would  whip  you  to  the  West." — Rom,  &  J . 

"  Down,  down  I  come,  like  glistering  Phaeton,  wanting  the  manage  of 
unruly  jades." — Rich.  II. 

"  Now  Phaeton  hath  tumbled  from  his  car,  and  made  an  evening  at  the 
noon- tide  pride." — 3  Hen  VI. 


-Tropic-bird,  a  genus  of  birds,  or.  Anseres. 


PHALECIAN.  A  term  applied  to  verses  of  eleven  syl- 
lables ;  so  called  from  Phalecus  {Bailey).  Phaloecus  was  an 
old  Grecian  poet  mentioned  by  Ausonius.  His  verse  was 
called  Carmen  Phaloecium,  Phaloecum,  or  Phaleucium.  Cf. 
Scheller's  Grammar ;  Auson.  E.  iv.,  85  ;   and  Scheller's  Lex. 

PHANARIOTS.  A  portion  of  the  Greek  people,  who  in 
the  days  of  bondage  peopled  the  famous  quarter  of  Constan- 
tinople called  the  Phanar. 

PHARAON,  PHARO,  or  FARO.  Name  of  a  game  of 
chance;  Fr.  pJiaraon,  a  game  at  cards;  probably  from  Pharaon 
(the  Fr.  form  of  Pharaoh),  but  why  is  doubtful. 

PHARICUM.  A  violent  kind  of  poison  ;  from  Pharos,  the 
island  whence  it  was  brought. — Forsyth. 

PHARISAIC,  PHARISAICAL.  Addicted  to  external 
forms  and  ceremonies ;  making  show  of  religion  without  the 
spirit  of  it ;  as  pharisaic  holiness ;  lit.  pertaining  to  or  resem- 
bling the  Pharisees,  a  Jewish  sect  distinguished  by  their  zeal 
for  the  traditions  of  the  elders,  and  by  their  exact  observance 
of  these  traditions  and  the  ritual  law,  and  whose  pretended 
holiness  led  them  to  separate  themselves  as  a  sect,  considering 
themselves  more  righteous  than  other  Jews. 

PHARISAISM.  The  notions,  doctrines,  and  conduct  of 
the  Pharisees,  as  a  sect;  rigid  observance  of  external  forms  of 
religion  without  genuine  piety  ;  hypocrisy  in  religion. 

PHAROAH.  A  strong  ale.  "  Old  Pharoh  "  is  mentioned 
in  the  Praise  of  Yorkshire  Ale,  1697,  p.  3  {Halliwell). 

PHAROS  (Fr.  phare,  It.  faro).     Any  lighthouse  for  the 


232  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

direction  of  seamen  ;  a  watch-tower  ;  a  beacon  ;  eo  called  from 
Pharos,  a  lighthouse  or  tower  erected  by  Ptolemy  Philadelphus 
on  a  small  isle  of  the  same  name  near  one  of  the  mouths  of  the 
Nile.  It  consisted  of  seven  stories  and  galleries,  with  a 
lantern  on  the  top,  which  was  kept  burning  at  night  as  a  guide 
to  seamen,  the  coasts  being  full  of  sands  and  shelves.  It  was 
considered  by  the  ancients  as  one  of  the  seven  wonders  of  the 
world.     There  are  still  several  faros,  as  Faro  di  Messina,  &c. 

PHASIANUS.  A  genus  of  birds,  or.  GalUnce.  See 
Pheasant. 

PHEASANT  (Fr.  faisan,  Sp.  faysan,  It.  fagiano,  D. 
faizant,  G.  fasan,  Russ.  phazan,  L.  pliasianus,  gallus  pJiasi- 
anus,  Gr.  ^oc(Tia.vo.g).  A  name  common  to  several  species  of 
gallinaceous  birds,  all  the  known  species  of  which  are  natives 
of  Asia.  This  bird  is  said  to  have  been  called  ^afficcvog  from 
having  been  originally  brought  from  the  banks  of  the  Phasis^ 
a  river  of  Colchis,  flowing  into  the  Black  Sea.  It  is  the 
Rhion  of  modern  geography,  a  river  of  Asiatic  Russia,  Trans- 
caucasia. It  is  said,  indeed,  that  the  bird  still  frequents  an 
island  at  the  mouth  of  this  river.  The  word  phasid  in  Syi*iac 
signifies  a  river. 

PHELYPOiA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  three  species,  natives 
of  the  Levant,  the  district  of  Mount  Caucasus,  Portugal,  Bar- 
bary,  Arabia,  Algiers,  &c. ;  named  in  honour  of  the  family  of 
Phelipeaux,  two  of  whom  are  mentioned  by  Tournefort  as  the 
MaBcenates  of  his  time. 

PHEREPHATTIA.  A  festival  kept  at  Cyricum  in  honour 
of  Proserpine,  who  was  also  called  Pherephatta.  The  sacrifice 
was  a  black  heifer. 

PHIGALIAN.  An  epithet  applied  to  certain  marbles 
discovered  near  the  site  of  the  ancient  Phigalia,  a  town  of 
Arcadia,  in  Greece,  and  which  have  been  brought  to  England, 
and  deposited  in  the  British  Museum  among  the  collection 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Elgin  marbles.  The  Phigalian 
marbles  form  a  series  of  sculpture  in  alto-relievo. — T.  Wright. 

PHILADELPHIA  LAWYER.  This  Transatlantic  limb 
of  the  law  is  considered  to  be  the  very  acme  of  acuteness. 
Sailors  relate  many  stories  of  his  artful  abilities. — /.  C.  Hotten. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  233 

PHILADELPHIAN.    Pertaining  to  Ptolemy  Philadelphus. 

PHILADELPHUS.  The  common  or  white  syringa  or 
mock  orange,  a  shrub,  mentioned  by  Athenaeus,  that  sends  up  a 
great  number  of  slender  stalks  from  the  root,  seven  or  eight 
feet  in  height ;  probably  a  native  of  the  south  of  Europe.  It 
is  the  4>;AaJ£Acj)0e  of  Aristotle  ;  and  Linnaeus  supposes  it  w^as 
designed  to  commemorate  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  King  of 
Egypt ;  but,  says  Rees,  it  is  much  more  probable  that  the 
plant  of  Athenceus  was  of  the  twining  or  clasping  kind,  some- 
thing like  Periploca  Grceca,  and  that  the  word,  by  a  poetical 
fancy,  was  intended  to  express  its  brotherly  love  for  those  near 
it  {^iXoq-ahX^oo) . 

PHILANDERING.  Making  love  ;  from  Philander,  name 
of  a  character  in  one  of  the  old  ballads,  garlands,  or  operas. 
Under  the  head  "Philander"  and  "Philandering"  I  find  the  fol- 
lowing in  the  Library  of  the  British  Museum:  — L  A  Strange 
Apparition;  or,  the  Second  Meeting  of  Two  Self-Murthering 
Lovers,  Phillis  and  Phillander;  Lond.  fo.  1680  ?  (a  very  curious 
old  ballad).  2.  Philander's  Garland,  composed  of  five  delight- 
ful new  songs,  Newc.  \2'^<  1780.  3.  Philandering;  or  the 
Rose  Queen.  A  comic  opera  in  three  acts,  performed  at  the 
New  Theatre  Royal  Drury  Lane  on  Tuesday,  January  13,  1824. 
The  music  by  Mr.  C.  E.  Horn.  [By  S.  Beazley].  Lond.  8°' 
1824  (in  prose).  4.  Songs,  duets,  and  concerted  pieces  in  the 
comic  opera  of  Philander ;  or  the  Rose  Queen,  8fc.  Lond.  8°' 
1824.     No.  1  is  headed — 

"  Mistaken  Phillis  kill'd  herself,  thinking  Philander  slain; 
Philander  quickly  followed  her,  and  now  they  are  met  again." 

To  the  tune  of  "  Oh,  Cruel  Bloody  Fate." 

In  No.  2  the  first  song  is  entitled  "  Philander's  Complaint  to 
his  Beautiful  Phillis;"  the  second,  "Beautiful  Phillis'  Answer 
to  Philander's  Complaint."  No.  3  commences  with  an  essay 
on  the  Art  of  Philandering.     The  chorus  to  the  finale  runs — 

"  All  Philanders  must  expect 

To  give  their  lovers  pain,  sir, 

Nor  should  they  certainly  object 

rr  f  men  should  )  xi-  i.         •     m 
If  <        .  ,  >  flirt  aaam." 

(  maidens        )  " 


234  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

The  title  page  has  the  following  : — 

"  To  be  paddling  palms,  and  pinching  fingers, 
And  making  practis'd  smiles,  as  in  a  looking-glass  ; 
And  then  to  sigh,  as  'twere  the  mort  of  the  deer  ; 
0  that  is  Philandering ! 

Is  whispering  nothing? 
Is  leaning  cheek — stopping  the  career 
Of  laughter  with  a  sigh — wishing  clock  more  swift — 
Hours  minutes — minutes  hours — noon  midniglit — 


Is  this  nothing  ?  'Tis  Philandering 


This  weak  impress  of  love  is  as  a  figure 
Trench 'd  in  ice,  which,  with  an  hour's  heat, 
Dissolves  to  v/ater,  and  doth  lose  its  form." 

Shakspeare  (mutilated). 

PHILIP.  A  Macedouiau  coin,  value  unknown  ;  named 
after  Philip  the  Great. 

PHILIPPEI  or  PHILIPPI.  Pieces  coined  in  the  reign 
of  Philip  of  Macedon,  and  with  his  image.  Horat.  Ep.  2,  1, 
284 ;  Liv.  34,  52 ;  37,  59  ;  39,  5,  7  ;  and  Lempriere. 

PHILIPPIC.  Discourse  or  declamation  full  of  acrimonious 
invective ;  so  called  from  an  oration  of  Demosthenes  against 
Philip  of  Macedon,  in  which  the  orator  aroused  the  Athenians 
from  their  indolence.  The  fourteen  orations  of  Cicero  against 
Mark  Antony  are  also  called  Philippics. 

PHILIPPIZE.  To  write  or  utter  invective ;  to  declaim 
against  (Burke).  To  side  with  Philip  ;  to  support  or  advocate 
Philip  (Sivift).     See  Philippic. 

PHILIPSIA.  A  genus  of  trilobites  found  in  the  mountain 
limestone  of  England  and  Ireland ;  doubtless  named  from  the 
discoverer,  Philips. 

PHILISTINE.  A  cant  term  applied  to  bailiffs,  sheriffs' 
oflficers,  and  drunkards  {Halliwell).  "A  policeman.  The 
German  students  call  all  townspeople  not  o^ih-Qirhodij  Philister, 
as  ours  say  cads.  The  departing  student  says,  mournfully, 
in  one  of  the  Burschenlieder,  '  Muss  selber  nun  Philister  seyn  !' 
'  I  must  now  myself  PAzYzs^me  be  !' ".     (Slang.     J.C.   Hotten). 

PHILISTINISM.     Manners  of  the  Philistines.— Car/^Ze. 

PHILLIP  SITE.  A  mineral  consisting  chiefly  of  silica 
andaluminia;  allied  to  harmotone,  i.e.  cross-stone  or  staurolite; 
named  after  W.  Phillips. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  235 

PHILLYREA.  Mock-privet.  A  genus  of  plauts,  or.  De- 
candria ;  name  of  the  daughter  of  Chiron,  who  first  applied  it 
medicinally. — Forsyth. 

PHILOMEL  or  PHILOMELA.  The  nightingale;  said 
to  be  so  called  from  Philomela,  daughter  of  Pandion,  king  of 
Athens,  who  was  changed  into  a  nightingale. 

"  For  worse  than  Philomel  you  us'd  my  daughter." — Tit.  Andron. 

"  Wer't  thou  thus  surpris'd,  sweet  girl,  ravish'd  and  wrong'd  as  Philomela 
was." — Ibid. 

PHILONIUM.  A  warm  opiate ;  from  Philo,  its  inventor. 
— Forsyth. 

PHRYGIAN.  An  epithet  applied  to  a  sprightly,  animated 
kind  of  music ;  so  called  from  the  Phrygians,  in  Asia  Minor. 
A  warlike  kind  of  music,  fit  for  trumpets,  hautboys,  &c. 

PHRYGIAN  STONE.  A  stone  described  by  the  ancients, 
used  in  dyeing ;  a  light  spongy  stone,  resembling  a  pumice, 
said  to  be  drying  and  astringent ;  so  called  from  Phrygia. 

PIAST.  As  history  goes,  the  Poles^  in  700,  gave  the 
command,  under  the  title  of  Duke,  to  Cracus,  founder  of 
Cracow.  His  posterity  failing,  a  peasant,  in  the  year  830, 
named  Piastus,  was  elected.  He  lived  to  the  age  of  120,  and 
from  the  length  and  prosperity  of  his  reign  every  native  Pole 
who  was  subsequently  elected  king  was  called  Piast.  The 
Polish  dictionary  says  the  term  Piast  was  used  to  denote  a 
Polish  nobleman,  who  stood  candidate  for  the  crown  elective 
of  Poland,  in  competition  with  a  foreign  prince.  Jedni  cheieli 
Piasta  drudzy  cudzoziemca  ;  some  have  wished  to  have  a  Pole, 
others  a  foreigner,  for  a  king. 

PIAUZITE.  An  earthy  resin,  colour  brownish-black ; 
found  in  a  bed  of  brown  coal  in  the  vicinity  of  Piauze,  near 
Neustadt,  in  Carniola. 

PICCADEL    or    PICCADILLY.      Formerly   a   game    so 

called. 

"  And  their  lands  to  coyn  they  distil  ye, 
And  then  with  the  money 
You  see  how  they  run  ye 
To  loose  it  at  piccadilly." — Flecknoe.     Epigrams. 

Doubtless  so  called  from  Piccadilly,  London,where  it  was  played. 


236  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

PICKERINGITE.  A  mineral  found  in  white  fibrous 
masses  ;  from  Iquique,  in  South  America ;  found  also  in  some 
parts  of  Africa  and  Europe;  named  after  Pickering. 

PICKLE  (D.  pekel,  G.  iwkel,  0.  G.  hotel).  Brine ;  a 
solution  of  salt  and  water  or  of  vinegar,  sometimes  impregnated 
with  spices,  in  which  flesh,  fish,  or  other  substance  is  pre- 
served: hence,  a  vegetable  or  fruit  preserved  in  pickle. 
Several  derivations  have  been  suggested ;  but  the  general 
opinion  seems  to  be  that  the  O.  G.  hokel  is  derived  from 
Beukelzoon  (who  was  born  and  died  at  Biervliet,  a  small  town 
on  an  island  in  the  West  Scheldt),  who  invented  the  art  of 
salting  and  barrelling  herrings.  Authors  differ  as  to  the  date 
of  the  invention,  some  making  it  in  1337,  others  1347,  1397,  and 
1414  ;  and  the  name  of  the  inventor  is  found  written  Bockel, 
Biickel,  Beukels,  Bokel,  Bokelszoon,  Beukelzoon.     See  N.  & 

Q.  2nd  S.  vii.,  No.  4,  p.  78  ;  also  Zedler  "Bieruliet." "A 

pickle,  a  young  pickle,  a  boy  who  cannot  be  kept  in  order 
without  repeated  punishment.     So  called  from  the  birch-rod, 

which  used  to  lie  in  brine  till  wanted"  {S.  F.  Ci^eswell). 

A  state  or  condition  of  difiiculty  or  disorder ;  a  ivord  used  in 
ridicule  or  contempt.  You  are  in  a  fine  pickle.  Pickle  is  also  a 
local  name  in  England  for  a  parcel  of  land  enclosed  with  a 
hedge ;  but  is  derived  from  a  different  root. 

PIGMEAN,  Anything  little ;  dwai'fish  ;  pertaining  to  a 
pigmy  or  dwarf;  so  called  from  the  Pigmcei,  among  the 
ancients,  a  race  of  beings  not  exceeding  a  cubit  in  height, 
who  inhabited  Thrace,  and  who  waged  war  with  the  cranes 
and  were  destroyed. 

PINCHBECK.  An  alloy  of  copper  and  zinc,  resembling 
gold  in  its  appearance,  said  to  have  been  first  brought  into 
notice  by  a  person  of  the  same  name.  Pinchbeck  is  also  the 
appellation  of  a  parish,  co.  Lincoln.  "  It  was  very  fashionable 
in  the  last  century,  and  derived  its  name  from  a  Mr.  Pinchbeck, 
a  well-known  London  tradesman,  who  manufactured  watches, 
buckles,  and  other  articles  out  of  it.  Pinchbeck  first  obtained 
his  notoriety  by  the  invention  of  an  ingenious  candle-snufiers, 
which  the  author  of  The  Heroic  Epistle  to  Sir  William  Cham- 
bers  made  the  vehicle  of  a  facetious  ode  that  went  through 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  2M 

eight  editions.  The  title  of  this  jeu  (Tesprit  ran  thus,  Ode 
to  Mr.  Pinchbeck,  upon  his  newly-invented  Candle-Snuffers, 
by  Malcolm  M'Gregor,  Esq.,  1776:— 

'  Illustrious  Pinchbeck!  condescend, 
Thou  well-beloved,  and  best  king's  friend. 
These  lyric  lines  to  view  ; 

Oh,  may  tliey  jiromjjt  tliee,  ere  too  late. 

To  snuff  the  candle  of  the  State, 
That  burns  a  little  blue  !' 

Pinchbeck  published  a  poetical  reply,  and  the  two  pamphlets 

were  for  a  long  time  the  talk  of  town "  (/.  C.  Hotten). 

Inferior,  deteriorated. 

"  Where,  in  these  Pinchbeck  days,  can  we  hope  to  find  the  old  agricul- 
tural virtue  in  all  its  purity?" — Framley  Parsonage. 

PINDARIC.  An  ode  in  imitation  of  Pindar,  prince  of  the 
lyric  poets,  a  contemporary  with  ^schylus  ;  an  irregular  ode 
{Addison).  "  There  is  nothing  more  frequent  among  us  than 
a  sort  of  poems  entitled  Pindaric  odes,  pretending  to  be  written 
in  imitation  of  the  manner  and  style  of  Pindar,  and  yet  I  do 
not  know  that  there  is  to  this  day  extant,  in  our  language,  one 
ode  contrived  after  this  model"  (Congreve). 

PINDAPvIC  HEIGHTS.  Studying  the  odes  of  Pindar. 
—Oxford  (J.  C.  Hotten). 

PINITE.  A  mineral  found  in  prismatic  crystals,  of  a 
greenish-white  colour,  brown,  or  deep  red,  and  occurring  also 
massive  ;  from  Pini,  a  mine  in  Saxony. 

PIRAKOFF  OPERATION.  The  operation  of  partially 
removing  the  foot ;  named  after  Dr.  Pirakoff,  one  of  the  most 
celebrated  operating  surgeons  in  Russia,  who  first  made  this 
sort  of  amputation. 

PISONIA.  A  plant  of  five  species,  natives  of  Jamaica, 
Domingo,  Antigua,  Hispaniola,  &c.  ;  named  by  Plumier  in 
honour  of  William  Piso,  physician  at  Amsterdam,  author  of 
the  Natural  History  of  Brazil,  1648. 

PISTOL  (Fr.  pistole,  pistolet;  It.  and  Sp.  pistola),  A  small 
firearm,  held  and  fired  by  one  hand.  The  word  is  said  to  be 
derived  from  Pistoia  (anc.  Pistori),  in  Italy,  where  this 
weapon  was  first  made.     Stephens  says,  ^^ Pistole  and  pistolet 


238  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

are  from  Pistoia,  a  little  town  near  Florence,  where  they  made 
little  poinards,  which  being  newly  imported  into  France  were 
called  first  j«"sio?/e?'S,  then  jnstolie7's,  and  finally  pistolets ;  that 
shortly  after  harquebuses  were  invented,  to  which  were  given 
the  name  of  these  little  poinards,  and  that  this  poor  little  word, 
having  for  such  a  length  of  time  travelled  from  place  to  place, 
was  at  last  imported  into  Spain  and  Italy  for  the  purpose  of 
signifying  crown  pieces,  &c.' 

PISTOLE  (Fr.)  A  gold  coin  of  Spain,  but  current  in  the 
neighbouring    countries  ;    equal    to    about    8s.    6d.    sterling 

{Ogilvie). A  coin  of  different  values  in  Germany,  Italy,  and 

Switzerland.     See  Pistol. 

PISTOLET.     A  little  pistol. 

"  Those  unlickt  bear-whelps,  unfill'd  pistolets, 
That,  more  than  cannon-shot,  avails  or  lets." — Donne. 

A  diminutive  of  pistol,  q.v.  The  French  use  the  word 
pistolet  not  only  to  denote  a  pistol,  but  also  a  small  kind  of 
bread  made  somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  crescent. 

PISUM  (Gr.  7r;crov).  The  pea,  a  plant  now  classed  as  a 
genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Leguminosce ;  so  called,  it  is  said,  from 
Pisa,  in  Italy,  where  it  abounded. — Crahh. 

PITAYA  BARK.  "  One  of  the  false  barks  obtained  from 
the  mountain  of  Pitaya  "  (qu.  where  ?). 

PLASTER  OF  PARIS.  A  composition  of  several  species 
of  gypsum,  dug  at  Montmartre,  Paris ;  used  in  building  and  in 
casting  busts  and  statues.  In  popular  language,  this  name  is 
applied  improperly  to  plaster-stone,  or  to  any  species  of 
gypsum. 

PLATONIC.  Pertaining  to  Plato,  or  to  his  philosophy, 
his  school,  or  his  opinions.  The  Platonic  bodies  are  the  five 
regular  geometrical  solids — viz.,  the  tetrahedron,  hexahedron  or 
cube,  octahedron,  dodecahedron,  and  icosahedron.  The  Platonic 
year  is  a  period  of  time  determined  by  the  revolution  of  the 
equinoxes.  Platonic  love  is  a  pure  spiritual  affection  subsist- 
ing between  the  sexes,  unmixed  with  carnal  desires,  and  re- 
garding the  mind  only  and  its  excellencies ;  a  species  of  love 
for  which  Plato  was  a  warm  advocate. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  239 

PLATONISM.  The  doctrines  of  Plato  and  his  followers. 
"  The  cupid  of  the  Hotel  de  Rambouillet  affected  strict 
Platonism."— For.  Quar.  ii.  313. 

PLATONIST,  PLATONIZER.  One  who  professes  to  be 
a  follower  of  Plato,  and  to  philosophize  as  he  did. 

PLUTONIC.  Designating  the  system  of  the  Plutonists  or 
Plutonians,  who  adopt  the  theory  of  the  formation  of  the  world 
from  igneous  fusion ;  from  Pluto,  god  of  the  infernal  regions. 
The  Plutonian  theory  of  the  formation  of  rocks  and  mountains 
is  opposed  to  the  Neptunian.  Plutonic  rocks  are  granite,  por- 
phyry, and  other  igneous  rocks,  supposed  to  have  consolidated 
from  a  melted  state  at  a  great  depth  from  the  surface ;  Plutonic 
action  is  the  influence  of  volcanic  heat  and  other  subterranean 
causes  under  pressure. 

POGRAM.  A  dissenter,  a  fanatic,  formalist,  or  humbug ; 
so  called  from  a  well-known  dissenting  minister  of  this  name. 
— /.  C.  Hotten  (slang). 

POINT  D'ESPAGNE.  Gold  or  silver  Spanish  lace  so 
called. 

POITEVIN  (formerly  Poictevine).  An  ancient  French 
coin  struck  at  Poitiers.  The  annotator  of  Rabelais  thinks 
the  appellation  "  Red  Poitevins,"  by  which  the  people  of  Poitou 
were  for  a  long  time  known,  was  given  them  from  this  coin, 
which,  consisting  of  a  small  quantity  of  silver,  mixed  with  a 
great  deal  of  red  copper,  its  colour  was  apparent  upon  being 
ever  so  little  handled. 

POIVREA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Combretacece ; 
named  after  Poivre,  the  celebrated  French  naturalist,  Intendant 
of  the  Mauritius  in  1766. 

POLACCA  (Fr.  polaque).  Another  name  for  the  dance 
air  called  polonaise ;  probably  the  same  word  as  polka,  q.v. 

POLECAT.  Poi^ular  name  of  a  small  European  quadruped 
nearly  allied  to  the  weasel.  Some  derive  the  word  from  Fr. 
poule,  a  hen,  chat,  a  cat,  a  hen  cat,  because  it  feeds  on  poultry, 
eggs,  &c.  Bailey  says,  q.d.,  ^^  Polonian  cat,  because  Poland 
abounds  with  them." 

POLED AVY.  A  sort  of  coarse  cloth  (Ainsivorth) .  Pole- 
davies,  a  coarse  canvas  (Bailey).     Pouldavis,  a  sort  of  sail- 


240  VERBA    NOMINAL! A. 

cloth  ;  obs.  (Webste?-).  It  was  probably  first  made  at  Poldavid 
(formerly  Pouldavy),  a  town  of  Bretagne,  on  the  Douarnenez 
water.  This  seems  to  be  confirmed  by  Anderson  (Hist.  Com- 
merce, vol.  2,  p.  174)  :  "  We  have  the  best  authority  for  fixing 
the  date  of  the  first  manufacturing  of  sail-cloth  in  England  to 
this  year  (1590),  being  the  preamble  to  an  Act  of  Parliament, 
1  James  I.  c.  23,  reciting  that  whereas  the  cloths  called  mil- 
dernix  and  powl-davies,  whereof  sails  and  other  furniture  for 
the  shipping  and  navy  are  made,  were  heretofore  altogether 
brought  out  of  France  and  other  parts  beyond  sea,  and  the  skill 
and  art  of  making  and  weaving  of  the  said  cloths  was  never 
known  or  used  in  England  until  about  the  thirty-second  year 
of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth — that  is,  in  the  year  1590 — 
about  which  time,  and  not  before,  the  perfect  art  or  skill  of 
making  and  weaving  the  said  cloths  was  attained  to,  and  since 
practised  and  continued  in  this  realm,  to  the  great  benefit  and 
commodity  thereof,  &c." 

POLKA,  A  fashionable  dance  said  to  have  been  brought 
from  Hungary.  The  word  is  probably  derived  from  the  Polish 
word  Polka,  a  female  Pole.  "  A  species  of  dance  of  Polish 
origin ;  also  the  air  played  to  the  dance  "  (^Ogilvie). 

POLONAISE  or  POLONESE.  A  long  robe  or  dress 
edged  with  fur,  adopted  from  the  fashion  of  the  Poles ;  some- 
times worn  by  ladies. 

POLONOISE.  In  music,  a  name  given  to  an  air  in  which 
the  movement  is  slow  or  moderate  ;  used  in  Poland  both  for 
songs  and  dances  ;  in  instrumental  music,  the  name  of  certain 
pieces  with  an  animated  movement. 

POLONY.     A  sausage ;  corruption  of  Bologna  sausage. 

POMARD.  A  fine  wine  made  from  grapes  grown  near 
Pomard,  a  village  of  France,  dep.  Cote-d'Or. 

POMPADOUR,  Now  called  cuire,  a  brownish-yellow 
colour ;  so  named  as  forming  the  colours  of  Madame  de  Pom- 
padour, mistress  of  Louis  XV.  The  Buffs  are  called  Pompa- 
dours, from  the  colour  of  their  facings  {S.  F.  Creswell).  Pom- 
padour and  the  saucy  Pompeys  (short  for  Pompadours),  a  name 
for  the  fifty-sixth  regiment  of  foot,  from  their  purple  facings^ 
the  favourite  colour  of  Madame  Pompadour. A  name  given 


VERBA    NOMINALTA.  241 

by  the  French  to  the  peculiar  style  of  arcliitecture,  &c.,  which 
prevailed  throughout  nearly  the  whole  of  Europe  about  the 
middle  of  the  eighteenth  century  ;  so  called  from  Madame  de 
Pompadour.  It  is  also  called  by  the  French,  Rococo  and 
Chicoree,  and  by  the  English,  Sti/le  of  Louis  Quatorze  and  Loins 
Qainze.  Hope,  in  his  Historical  Essays  on  Architecture,  pp. 
555,  559,  very  ably  exposes  this  style,  and  says  its  proper 
name  should  be  "  The  Inane  or  Frippery  Style."  It  was  not 
confined  to  architecture,  being  found  in  sculpture,  painting, 
poetry,  bronze,  porcelaiu,  &c.  "Boromini  in  Archittetura, 
Bernini  in  Scultura,  Petro  da  Cortona  in  Pittura,  II  Cavalier 
Marini  in  Poesia,  sono  peste  del  Gusto,  peste  ch'ha  appestato 
un  gran  munero  di  Artisti "  (Miliz.  Diz.  delle  Belle  Arti,  voc. 
Boromini,  p.  122).  The  late  king  George  lY.,  who  had  the 
most  frivolous,  meretricious,  gawdy  taste,  adopted  this  rococo, 
iwmpadour,  chicoree  style  in  the  ornaments  of  the  great  ball 
room  at  Windsor,  and  as  late  as  1837  it  was  quite  the  fashion 
in  France,  especially  in  bronze  work,  ormolu,  and  porcelain, 

POMUM  ADAMI  (Adam's  apple).  A  protuberance  in 
the  anterior  part  of  the  neck,  formed  by  the  forepart  of  the 
thyroid  cartilage  ;  so  called  from  a  whimsical  supposition  that 
a  part  of  the  forbidden  apple  which  Adam  ate  stuck  in  his 
throat,  and  thus  occasioned  the  protuberance. 

PONS  VAROLII.  An  eminence  of  the  medulla  oblou^ata, 
first  described  by  Varolius. 

PONTAC.  A  sort  of  clai-et,  used  in  England  in  the  manu- 
fixcture  of  what  is  called  by  wine  merchants,  and  believed  by 
the  public  to  be,  port  ivine ;  named  from  Pontac,  dep.  Basses- 
Pyrenees,  where  it  is  made. 

POONAHLITE.  A  mineral,  according  to  C.  Gmelin,  con- 
sisting of  silica,  alumina,  lime,  soda  with  a  trace  of  potash, 
and  water  ;  found  with  apopyllite  at  Poonah,  in  Hindustan. 

POPE  JULIUS.  An  old  game,  possibly  similar  to  the 
modern  game  of  pope-joan  (HaUiweU).  A  game  of  cards 
greatly  in  vogue  at  the  court  of  Henry  VIII.,  and  which  was 
probably  the  origin  of  the  vulgar  round  game  called  in  modern 
times  pope-joan.  The  various  points  in  that  game,  such  as 
matrimony,  intrigue,  pope,  and  the  stops,  appear  to  have  borne 

B 


242  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

significant  allusion  to  the  relative  situations  in  the  royal  drama 
of  the  divorce  and  the  interference  of  the  Pope  and  his  agents 
in  preventing  the  king's  marriage  with  his  beautiful  favourite, 
Anne  Boleyn.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  named  in  mockery 
of  Julius  II.  (elected  Pope  1  Nov.,  1503,  died  21  Feb.,  1513), 
the  copy  of  whose  breve  of  dispensation  had  been  lately  pro- 
duced by  Catharine  of  Arragon  as  an  important  document  in 
favour  of  the  legality  of  her  marriage  with  Henry  VIII.  See 
Life  of  Anne  Boleyn,  by  Agnes  Strickland,  pp.  227,  228.  It 
might  have  even  been  named  after  Clement  VII.  (elected  Pope 
10  Nov.,  1523,  died  26  Sep.,  1534),  Avhose  name  was  Julius  de 
Medicis,  who  refused  to  grant  the  divorce  between  Henry  and 
Catharine.  He  was  natural  son  of  Julian  de  Medicis,  cousin 
of  Leo  X. 

POPERY.  The  religion  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
comprehending  doctrines  and  practices ;  so  called  from  the 
Pope,  in  L.  Papa. 

POPE'S  NOSE.  The  extremity  of  the  rump  of  a  roast 
fowl,  devilled  as  a  dainty  for  epicures. 

POPLIN.  A  stuff  made  of  the  finest  wool  and  silk,  first 
introduced  into  Ireland  by  a  French  emigrant  family  named 
Latouche  (who  founded  there  a  manufactory  of  Papelines  or 
Popelines)  upon  publication  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  by  Louis 
XIV.  (22  Oct.,  1685).  It  was  first  made  at  Avignon,  in 
France,  which  was  formerly  part  of  the  Papal  territories,  and 
was  on  that  account  called  Papeline,  from  Pape;  Med.  L.  Papa, 
the  Pope.  For  further  information  see  Diet,  des  Sciences, 
new  Ed.  1847,  4o,  pp.  328,  419. 

PORT.  A  dark  purple  astringent  wine  made  in  Portugal, 
and  drank  there ;  so  called  from  Porto  or  Oporto,  whence  it 

was  formerly  shipped. A  wine  made  in  Portugal  for  British 

consumption,   and  shipped  from  Oporto. A  wine  made  in 

England  from  cider,  logwood,  and  common  British  brandy, 
drunk  by  the  middle  classes.  Ford  says  benicarlo  (a  Spanish 
wine),  familiarly  called  "  black  strap,"  is  much  used  to  concoct 
what  the  trade  call  curwiis  old  port. 

PORTEGUE.  A  gold  coin  equal  to  31.  lOs.  {Bailey); 
doubtless  coined  in  Portugal. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  243 

PORTITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate,  from  the  gabbro 
rosso  in  Tuscany  ;  named  after  M.  Porte,  of  Tuscany. 

PORTLAND  STONE.  A  yellowish-white  calcareous 
freestone,  much  used  in  building ;  from  the  Isle  of  Portland 
in  England. 

PORTO  RICO.  A  tobacco  much  smoked  in  Germany  ; 
brought  from  Porto  Rico,  one  of  the  Spanish  West  India 
islands. 

PORTUGAL.  A  light  and  elegant  carriage ;  so  named 
from  having  been  sent  to  the  King  of  Portugal. 

POUPART'S  LIGAMENT  {Fallopian  ligament).  In 
anatomy,  the  tendinous  attachment  of  the  external  oblique 
muscle  of  the  abdomen  to  the  su]3erior  and  anterior  spinous 
process  of  the  os  ilium  and  os  pubis ;  named  after  Fi-ancis 
Poupart,  a  celebrated  French  physician  and  anatomist,  who 
Avas  born  at  Mans  in  1660,  and  died  in  1709;  author  of 
Chirurgie  Complete,  and  of  several  papers  in  the  memoirs  of 
the  Academy  of  Sciences. 

POURRETIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  trees,  natives  of  South 
America ;  named  by  Wildenow  in  honour  of  the  Abbe  Pourret, 
a  French  botanist,  who  wrote  on  Spanish  plants  in  the  memoirs 
of  the  Academy  of  Toulouse. 

POYNINGS'  LAW.  An  act  passed  in  the  reign  of  Henry 
VII.,  by  which  all  legislation  in  Ireland  was  confined  to  what 
had  previously  been  approved  by  king  and  council  in  England; 
so  called  from  Sir  Edward  Poynings,  then  Lieutenant  of  Ire- 
land. 

POZZUOLANA,  POZZOLANA,  or  PUZZOLANA. 
Volcanic  ashes,  used  in  the  manufacture  of  mortal",  which 
hardens  under  water  ;  from  Pozzuoli,  in  Italy. 

PRADO  (VERDE  DI).  A  green  marble  occurring  near 
the  little  town  of  Prado,  in  Tuscany. 

PRE-AD AMITE.  An  inhabitant  of  the  earth  before  the 
time  of  Adam. 

PREDAZZITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  carbonic  acid, 
lime,  magnesia,  water,  alumina,  red  oxide  of  iron,  and  silica ; 
found  at  Predazzo,  in  the  Tyrol. 

PREHNITE.     A  pale  green  mineral,  consisting  of  silica, 

R  2 


244  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

alumina,  and  lime,  Avith  some  water ;  named  by  Werner  after 
Colonel  Prehn,  who  first  found  it  at  the  Cape,  and  brought  it 
to  Europe. 

PRE-RAPHAELITISM.  A  system  of  painting  said  to  be 
founded  on  truthfulness  to  nature  only,  as  opposed  to  the 
teaching  and  practice  of  schools  founded  on  laws  derived  from 
the  works  of  great  painters  ;  truthfulness  to  nature  irrespective 
of  any  conventional  rules  of  painting.  It  was  founded  by 
Rossetti  about  1849-50,  and  was  first  introduced  into  England 
by  Millais,  Holman  Hunt,'  &c.  Pre-Raphael  simply  means 
"before  Raphael;"  because,  before  his  time,  painters  had  no 
other  guide  but  that  afforded  by  the  study  of  nature. 

PREvSTONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  the  only  known  species 
of  which  is  P.  tomentosa,  a  twining  downy  shrub,  found  near 
the  banks  of  the  Rio  de  Janeiro,  in  the  Brazils  ;  named  by  Mr. 
R.  Brown  in  memory  of  Dr.  Charles  Preston,  a  correspondent 
of  Ray. 

PRESTON  SALTS.  Salts  prepared  by  adding  a  few 
drops  of  liquor  ammoniae  fortior  and  some  volatile  oils  to 
coarsely-powdered  sesqui-carbonate  of  ammonia ;  originally 
from  Preston  Pans,  in  Scotland.  The  monks  of  Newbottle, 
Avho  obtained  a  grant  of  Preston  before  1189,  from  Robert  de 
Quincey,  and  who  discovered  coal  within  their  lands,  esta- 
blished a  salt  work  here,  which  gave  rise  to  the  name  of 
Preston  Pans,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  last  century  it  Avas 
commonly  called  Salt  Preston. 

PRINCE'S  METAL.  A  mixture  of  copper  and  zinc,  in 
imitation  of  gold ;  also  called  Prince  Rupert's  metal,  because 
it  is  said  to  have  been  invented  by  him. 

PROCRUSTEAN.  Resembling  Procrustes,  or  his  mode 
of  torture.  "  Procrustes,  called  by  Pausanias  Polyphaemon, 
was,  in  Grecian  mythology,  a  robber,  who  placed  on  an  iron 
bed  travellers  who  fell  into  his  hands,  which  their  stature  Avas 
made  to  fit  by  cutting  off  the  projecting  limbs,  or  by  stretching 
them  to  suit  its  dimensions:  hence  the  metaphorical  expression, 
'  the  bed  of  Procrustes.'  "  "  He  is  obliged,  Procntstes-Yike,  to 
cut  off'  some  letter  from  the  beginning,  middle,  or  end ;  or,  by 
the   touch  of  his  magical  wand,  to  make  the  letters  of  the 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  245 

radical  change  place,  or  start  above  their  fellows,  before  they 
will  suit  his  purpose  "  (Ed.  Rev.  iii.  317). 

PROMETHEAN.     Having  the  life-giving  quality  of  the 
fire  which  Prometheus  stole  from  heaven. 

"  Whence  doth  spring  the  true  Promethean  fire." — Love's  Lab.  Lost. 

"  I  know  not  where  is  that  Promethean  heat  that  can  thy  light  relume." 
—Othello. 

A  glass  tube  containing  sulphuric  acid,  and  surrounded 


by  an  inflammable  mixture,  which  it  ignites  on  being  pressed. 

PROSERPINACA.  A  genus  of  North  American  aquatic 
plants.  LinniBus  derives  the  name  a  p7-oserpendo,  from  its 
creeping  habit.  According  to  others,  it  is  an  ancient  name  in 
Apuleius,  and  is  the  Proserpina  of  Pliny,  and  is  so  called  after 
Proserpine,  queen  of  the  infernal  regions,  because  it  grows  in 
low  places  infested  with  frogs  and  newts.  Cf.  Gronovius  and 
Miller's  Diet. ' 

PROTEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  shrubs,  chiefly  natives  of 
the  Cape  ;  named  by  Linnaeus  after  Proteus,  in  allusion  to  the 
great  diversity  of  habit  in  the  different  species.     See  Proteus. 

PROTEAN.  Readily  assuming  different  shaj)es ;  lit.  per- 
taining to  or  resembling  Proteus,  q.v. 

"  Change  shapes  with  Proteus  for  advantages." — 3  Hen.  VI. 

"  I  am  not,  however,  very  sanguine  as  to  the  result  of  the 
experiment  in  Turin,  knoAving  how  strangely  Protean  are  the 
forms  of  prejudice,  and  how  curiously  and  unexpectedly  they 
manifest  themselves  in  different  countries." 

PROTEAN  STONE.  A  material  invented  by  Mr.  Che- 
verton  ;  manufactured  from  gypsum,  which,  by  various  modes 
of  treating  it,  is  made  to  resemble  ivory,  granite,  or  different 
kinds  of  marble.     See  Proteus. 

PROTEUS.  One  who  easily  changes  his  form  or  principles; 
so  called  from  Proteus,  son  of  Oceanus  and  Tethys,  whose 
distinguishing  characteristic  was  the  faculty  of  assuming  diffe- 
rent shapes. A  genus  of  batrachian  reptiles,  allied  to  the 

sirens,  salamanders,  and  frogs. A  genus  of  homogeneous  in- 
fusoria. 


246  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

PRUSSIAN  BLUE.  A  bisalt  of  a  beautiful  deep  blue, 
much  used  as  a  pigment ;  from  Prussia. 

PRUSSIATE.  A  name  first  applied  to  Prussian  blue,  but 
subsequently  to  numerous  salts  in  which  the  protocjanide  of 
iron  is  the  acid.     See  Prussian  Blue. 

PRUSSIC  ACID.  An  acid,  a  deadly  poison,  obtained  from 
Prussian  blue  {q.v.),  in  which  it  forms  the  colouring  matter. 

PTOLEMAIC.  A  system  maintained  by  Ptolemy,  who 
supposed  the  earth  to  be  fixed  in  the  centre  of  the  universe, 
and  the  sun  and  stars  to  revolve  around  it.  This  theory  was 
received  for  ages,  but  has  been  rejected  for  the  Copernican 
system. 

PUNCH  AND  JUDY.  Supposed  to  be  a  corruption  of 
Pontius  Pilatus  aim  Judceis,  represented  in  some  miracle-play 
{S.  F.  Cresivell).  Theobald,  in  a  note  to  Shakespeare,  says, 
"  There  was  hardly  an  old  play  till  the  period  of  the  Refor- 
mation which  had  not  in  it  a  devil,  and  a  droll  character,  who 
was  to  play  upon  and  work  the  devil."  "  Perhaps,"  says  a 
correspondent  of  N.  &  Q.,  "  Judas  was  often  introduced  as  a 
fit  representative,  and  so  in  our  street  exhibitions  we  generally 
see  both  characters  (Judas  corrupted  in  Judy),  and  Punch 
victorious  over  botli.  Galiani,  in  his  vocabulary  of  the  Nea- 
politan dialect,  has  bestowed  a  great  deal  of  learning  upon  the 
subject.  lie  fixes  on  Pucchio  d' A  niello,  at  Acerra,  near 
Naples,  as  the  original  Punch,  and  says  that  after  his  death  a 
Polecenella,  or  young  Puccio,  succeeded  him."  Another  corre- 
spondent of  N.  &  Q.  says,  "  The  name  of  Punch  in  Italy  is 
Poncinello,  a  very  easy  corruption  of  Pontiello  or  Pontianello; 
Judy  is  certainly  very  like  Giudei  (the  Jews)  or  Giuda  (Judas). 
There  are  certainly  two  places  in  Europe  where  traditions 
respecting  Pontius  Pilate  still  survive — Avignon,  where  some 
say  that  he  died,  and  Mount  Pilatus,  near  Lucerne.  The 
story  at  the  latter  place  is,  that  he  threw  himself  into  a  lake 
on  the  top  of  the  mountain.  It  would  appear  from  this  that 
traditions  respecting  him  were  afloat  during  the  Middle  Ages, 
and  nothing  is  more  likely  than  their  embodiment  in  a  mystery 
play."  Again,  another  writer  derives  the  name  from  itoXu 
Kiviuj,  to  move  much,  "  which  seems  to   me  at   least  plausible. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  247 

considering  that  the  founders  of  Neapolis  were  a  Greek 
colony,  and  that  their  descendants  still  retain  very  many 
features  of  their  original  country."  The  most  probable  deri- 
vation is  that  from  Punchinello,  from  Pulicinella,  a  character  in 
the  Neapolitan  drama  ;  so  called  from  pullicinus,  a  little 
chicken,  because  his  nose  resembles  the  disproportioned  beak 
of  a  young  pullet.  The  name  Jiuhj  is  exclusively  English. 
But  see  Notes  and  Queries,  1st  S.,  v.  610;  vi.  43,  184;  2nd 
S.,  ii.  430,  495-6 ;  Rev.  des  Deux  Mondes,  vol.  20,  p.  823, 
1  June,  1840  ;  and  voc.  Pantaloon  in  this  Dictionary. 

PUNIC.     Faithless,  treacherous,  deceitful;   lit.  pertaining 

to  the  Pceni,  Phoeni  {i.e.  the  Carthaginians),  Carthage  having 

been  settled  by  Phoenicians.     The  Latins  used  tlie  term  Punica 

fides  (Punic  or  Carthaginian  faith)  to  denote  unfaithfulness, 

treachery,    perfidiousness. The    ancient   language    of    the 

Carthaginians,  of  which  Plautus  has  left  a  specimen. 

PURBECK  STONE.  A  limestone  from  the  isle  of  Pur- 
beck,  a  peninsular  district,  co.  Dorset ;  possessing  excellent 
quarries  of  stone,  slate,  and  marble. 

PUSEYISM.  The  principles  of  Dr.  Pusey  and  others  at 
Oxford,  as  exhibited  in  "  The  Tracts  for  the  Times."  They 
propose  to  carry  back  the  discipline  and  doctrine  of  the  Church 
of  England  to  an  imagined  period,  when  there  would  have 
been  no  ground  of  separation  from  the  then  Church  of  Rome. 
— Smart. 

PUSEYITE.     One  who  holds  the  principles  of  Pusey  ism. 

PUSSEY-CATS.  A  corruption  of  Puseyites,  a  name  con- 
stantly, but  improperly,  given  to  the  "  Tractarian "  party  in 
the  Church ;  from  the  Oxford  Regius  Professor  of  Hebrew, 
who  by  no  means  approved  of  the  Romanizing  tendencies  of 
some  of  its  leaders. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

PYRRHIC.  An  ancient  military  dance,  said  to  have  been 
invented  by  Pyrrhus. In  poetry,  the  foot  so  called. 

PYRRHONISM.  Scepticism,  univei'sal  doubt ;  from 
Pyrrho,  founder  of  the  Sceptics.  "  Launched  into  a  dark 
shoreless  sea  of  Pyrrlionism,  what  would  remain  for  us  but  to 
sail  aimless,  hopeless;  or  make  merry,  Avhile  the  devouring 
Death  had  not  yet  engulfed  us?"  {Carlyle). 


248  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

PYRRHONIST.  A  sceptic;  one  who  doubts  of  every- 
thing.    See  Pyrrhonism. 

PYTHAGOREAN.  A  follower  of  or  belonging  to  the 
philosojihy  of  Pythagoras,  founder  of  the  Italic  sect  of  philo- 
sophers. 

PYTHAGORISM.     The  doctrines  of  Pythagoras. 

PY^'THIAN.  Delphic ;  pertaining  to  Pythia,  priestess  of 
Apollo,  who  delivered  oracles. 

PYTHIAN  GAMES.  One  of  the  four  great  national 
festivals  of  ancient  Greece,  celebrated  near  Delphi  (an  old 
name  of  which  was  Pytho),  in  Phocis,  in  honour  of  Apollo, 
conqueror  of  the  dragon  Python :  hence  Apollo  himself  was 
called  UvQiOQ,  UvSouv. 

PY'THONESS.  A  sort  of  witch  ;  any  female  supposed  to 
have  a  spirit  of  divination  ;  so  called  from  the  priestess  who 
gave  oracular  answers  at  Delphi.     See  Ptthian. 

PYTHONIST.     A  conjurer.— TFeJs^er.     See  Pythoness. 


Q. 


QUARRINGTON.  A  Devonshire  apple  so  named,  but 
whether  from  the  cultivator  or  from  locality  is  doubtful. 
There  are  places  called  Quarrington  in  cos.  Durham  and 
Lincoln. 

QUASSIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  at  present  comprising  but 
one  species,  viz.,  Quassia  amara  (Liunteus).  It  was  once 
much  employed  as  a  bitter  tonic  medicine,  but,  the  supply  not 
equalling  the  demand,  the  Picra^na  excelsa  (Lindley)  was  gra- 
dually substituted,  under  the  same  name,  and  is  the  article  now 
incorrectly  called  Quassia  in  the  shops.  The  former  is  a 
native  of  Surinam,  Guiana,  Colombia,  and  Panama ;  and  the 
latter  of  Jamaica.  The  wood  and  bark,  both  of  the  root  and 
top,  of  both  of  these  articles  are  the  parts  employed  in  medi- 
cine. The  Quassia  amara  had  its  name  from  a  negro  named 
Quassi  or  Quash,  who  used  it  with  remarkable  success  in  curing 
a  malignant  fever  which  prevailed  at  Surinam. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  249 

QUASSINE  or  QUASSITE.  The  name  given  by 
Wiggers  to  the  bitter  principle  of  Picr^ena  excelsa ;  from 
quassia,  q.v. 

QUEEN  BESS.  The-  queen  of  clubs ;  perhaps  so  called 
because  that  queen,  history  says,  was  of  a  swarthy  complexion. 
— North  Hants.     See  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  1791,  p.  141. 

QUIDDANY.  Marmalade ;  a  confection  of  quinces  pre- 
pared with  sugar ;  from  L.  cydonhtm,  quiddany ;  cijdonites, 
marmalade;  c i/ donia  (sc.  mala),  quinces.  Gr.  kvScvviov  (fj.riXov'), 
a  quince ;  from  kuSojvsoc  or  KuScuvia,  the  quince-tree  ;  from 
Ku^ouvia,,  Cydonia,  a  town  of  Crete;  thus  xvSujvta,  kvSujviov, 
cydonium,  cydonio,  cydoni,  cydani,  quidani,  quidany,  Quiddany, 

QUINCE  (Fr.  coin  or  coing  ;  Armor,  avalcouign ;  G.  qtiitte, 
quidden,  quittenapfel ;  D.  kwee,  quee,  queeper,  queepeerboom,  the 
quince-tree).  A  fruit  much  used  in  making  pies,  tarts,  mar- 
malade, &c.  Webster  renders  the  Armoric  word,  "  the  cor- 
nered apple  or  wedge-apple,"  and  he  says  one  species  of  the 
quince  is  of  an  oblong  shape,  from  which,  jirobably,  it  has  its 
French  name.  Again,  Bescherelle  derives  coiiig  from  Celt. 
coin,  fruit.  But  all  forms  of  the  word  are  more  probably 
corrupted  from  L.  cydonia  (mala),  •  quinces  (Gr.  KvSujyia,  the 
quince-ti'ee),  from  Ku'Scajvioc,  Cydonia,  a  town  of  Crete,  famous 
for  abounding  with  this  fruit. 

QUINCEITE.  A  hydrated  silicate  of  magnesia  tinged  red 
by  oxide  of  iron ;  found  near  Quincey,  in  France. 

QUININA,  QUINIA,  QUININE.  An  alkaloid  obtained 
from  various  species  of  cinchona,  and  one  of  the  active  prin- 
ciples of  these  trees ;  a  very  important  article  of  medicine, 
much  used  in  the  treatment  of  fevers,  agues,  certain  sorts  of 
mortifications,  &c.;  properly  cinchonina,  cinchonia,  cinchonine, 
or  cinchona.  According  to  some,  it  had  its  name  from  the 
Countess  de  Chinchon,  wife  of  the  viceroy  of  Peru,  who  was 
cured  of  a  fever  in  1638  by  this  medicine.  The  Cond^sa  del 
Cincon  or  Chincon  (perhaps  from  Chinca,  in  Peru),  wife  of  the 
viceroy  of  Peru,  brought  some  of  this  powder  with  her  to 
Europe  in  1639.  Soon  afterwards  Cardinal  de  Lugo,  a 
Jesuit,  brought  it  to  Rome,  where  it  was  called  Jesuits'  bark, 
otherwise  Jesuits'  powder,  Pulvis  Cardinalis  de  Lugo,  Pnlvi.s 


250  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Patrum,  and  Pulvis  Comitissa3  (countess's  powder).  It  was 
subsequently  employed  in  France  by  Sir  Robert  Talbor,  whence 
it  was  called  Talbor's  powder,  or  the  English  remedy. 

QUIXOTISM.     Romantic  and  absurd  notions  ;  schemes  or 
actions  like  those  of  Don  Quixote,  the  hero  of  Cervantes. 


R. 


RABEL  WATER  (^Eau  cle  Rabel,  Aqua  Rabelliana).  A 
water  consisting  of  one  part  of  sulphuric  acid  and  three  of 
rectified  spirit  of  wine,  constituting  a  sort  of  sulphuric  ether  ; 
named  from  its  inventor,  the  empiric  Rabel. 

RABBI  WATER  (Eabbi  loasser').  A  chalybeate  water 
from  the  baths  of  Rabbi,  Val  di  Rabbi,  Tyrol ;  much  frequented 
by  the  Trentines  and  Tyrolese. 

RABBINIC,  RABBINICAL.  Pertaining  to  the  Rabbins, 
or  to  their  opinions,  learning,  and  language. 

RABBINISM.  A  rabbinic  expression  or  phraseology ;  a 
peculiarity  of  the  language  of  the  Rabbis. 

RAFE  or  RALPH.  A  pawnbrokei*'s  duplicate  {Norwich ; 
J.  C.  Hotteu);  doubtless  from  the  name  of  a  pawnbroker. 

RAGUSINA.  A  silver  coin  of  Tuscany,  Ragusa,  and 
Venice;  so  named  from  Ragusa,  where  it  was  the  highest 
silver  coin,  worth  3s.  Ifd.  sterling.  It  was  also  called  talaro 
(dollar)  and  vislino. 

RAJANIA.  A  genus  of  climbing  plants,  nat.  or.  Diosco- 
riacecB  ;  called  after  Ray,  the  celebrated  naturalist. —  Crabb. 

RAMILIE.     A  cocked  hat,  worn  temp.  George  I. ;  named 

in  commemoration  of  the  famous  battle  of  Ramilies. A  wig 

worn  as  late  as  the  reign  of  George  III, A  long  gradually- 
diminishing  plait  to  the  wig,  with  a  great  bow  at  the  top,  and 
a  smaller  one  at  the  bottom.     See  Planche. 

RAMIST  or  RAMEAN.  A  follower  of  Pierre  Ramee 
(Peter  Ramus),  professor  of  rhetoric  and  philosophy  in  Paris 
temp.  Henry  II.,  who  perished  in  the  massacre  of  St.  Bartho- 
lomew.    His  system  of  logic  was  opposed  to  that  of  the,  Aris- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  251 

totoliiiu  party,  between  whom  tiud  his  followers  there  r.iged  a 
vehement  contest  during  the  hitter  half'of  the  sixteenth  century. 
The  dispute  rendered  essential  service  to  science,  by  exposing 
the  absurdities  of  the  schoolmen.    . 

RANDAL'S-MAN.  A  neckerchief,  colour  green,  with 
white  spots ;  named  after  Jack  Randal,  the  pugilist. — J.  C 
Hotten. 

RAYNES  or  RENNES.  A  table  cloth  supposed  by  Mr. 
Douce  to  have  been  manufactured  at  Rennes,  in  Bretagne  ; 
"  A  cloth  of  reines."  "  Thenne  the  Kerver  shall  go  into  the 
Cupibord  and  redresse  and  ordeyne  Wafers  into  Toweyles  of 
Raynes  or  fine  Napkins,"  &c.  (Notes  to  a  Relation,  or  rather 
Ane  account  of  England,  an.  1500,  &c.,  translated  from  the 
Italian  by  Miss  Charlotte  Augusta  Sney,  published  by  the 
Camden  Society  in  1847). 

REAUMUR.  A  method  of  graduation  on  the  thermometer, 
which  is  still  the  only  one  used  in  France  and  many  parts  of 
the  continent ;  invented  by  Reaumur.     vSee  Reaumuria. 

REAUMURIA.  A  plant,  so  called  in  honour  of  the  great 
French  naturalist,  the  Sieur  de  Rene  Antoine  Ferchault 
Reaumur  (born  at  Rochelle,  1683),  principally  known  as  a 
botanist  by  his  examination  of  the  fructification  of  Fuci,  but 
chiefly  celebrated  as  a  philosophical  inquirer  into  the  history 
of  insects,  and  their  transformations,  &c.     Linnaeus  mentions 

Hasselquist  as  the  author  of  the  name  Reaumuria,  of  which  no 
traces  are  found  in  his  book. 

REDOWA.     A  fashionable  dance,  doubtless  brought  from 

Poland,     The  ofiicial  gazette  of  Poland  is  called  the  Gazeta 

Bedorva.     Both  names  are  probably  derived  from  Radow,  in 

Poland  ;  or  perhaps  from  a  surname. 

REINSCH'S    TEST.     A  test  for  the  detection  of  arsenic 

in  mixed    solutions,   consisting    in   boiling    slips    of  metallic 

copper    in    a   portion    of    the   filtered    liquor ;     invented    by 

Reinsch. 

REMOLINITE.     A  mineral  consisting  of  hydrochloric  acid, 

chlorine,  copper,  water,  and  silica ;  found  at  Los  Remolinos,  in 

Chili ;  also  in  Peru  ;  in  Saxony;  and  on  the  lavas  of  Vesuvius 

and  ^tna. 


252  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

REUSSINE  (also  7-eussin  and  renssite),  A  salt  of  sulphate 
of  soda  and  magnesia,  found  in  the  form  of  a  mealy  efflorescence  ; 
discovered  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Sedlitz,  in  Bohemia.  Ac- 
cording to  some,  it  was  named  in  honour  of  M.  Reuss,  the 
German  mineralogist,  who  first  analysed  it  and  made  it  known. 
Others  derive  the  name  from  the  principality  of  Reuss,  in 
Germany,  where  they  say  it  was  found. 

REYNOLDS'S  SPECIFIC.  A  nostrum  for  gout  and 
rheumatism,  consisting  of  the  fresh  bulb  of  colchicum  and 
sherry  wine  ;  invented  by  Reynolds,  who  is  said  to  have  killed 
himself  by  taking  an  over-dose  of  it. 

RHABARBARUM.  Rhubarb.  Forsyth  derives  this  word 
"  from  Hha  and  hai^harus,  wild;  so  called  because  brought  from 
the  banks  of  the  Rha,  now  the  Volga,  in  Russia."  See  also 
Isidorus,  and  Littleton's  Lat.  Diet. 

RHAPONTICUM.  Systematic  name  of  the  rhapontic 
rhubarb.  Forsyth  renders  it  the  "  Rha  Pontus,  i.e.  Rha,  in 
Russia,  on  whose  banks  it  grew."  Pliny  calls  it  Rhacoma ; 
Celsus,  Radix  Pontica. 

RHEUM.  A  genus  of  plants,  mostly  perennials,  including 
the  different  species  which  yield  the  stalks  and  root  called 
rhubarb ;  supposed  by  some  to  derive  its  generic  name  from 
Rha  (the  Volga),  a  river  of  Russia,  on  whose  banks  some 
species  of  the  genus  abound.  It  is  the  Pijov  of  Dioscorides, 
which  some,  however,  derive  from  psuj,  to  flow. 

RHINE-GRAVE  (G.  Rhein-graf).  The  Count  Palatine 
of  the  Rhine. 

RHUBARB.     See  Rhabarbarum. 

RIBSTON  or  RIB  STONE  PIPPIN.  An  apple  brought 
from  Italy  by  the  late  Sir  Harry  Goodricke.  It  received  its 
present  appellation  from  having  been  first  grown  in  this  coun- 
try at  Sir  Harry's  residence,  Ribstone  Hall,  in  Yorkshire, 
where  the  original  tree  was  still  growing  a  few  years  since. 

RICCIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  HejyaticcB ;  named  in 
honour  of  P.  F.  Ricci,  a  noble  Florentine,  and  a  great  patron 
of  botany. 

RICE  (Fr.  riz  or  ris,  It.  riso,  Sp.  and  Port,  arvoz,  G.  reiz  or 
reiss,  D.  v>jst,  Dan.  ris,  L.  oryza,  Gr.  opu^a,  Eth.  rez).     A  plant 


VERBA    NOMINALIA,  253 

of  the  genus  Oryza,  aud  its  seed,  of  which  there  is  only  one 
species. 

"  Sume  hoc  ptisanarium  oryzce." — Hor.  Sat.  iii.,  155. 

The  common  rice,  Oryza  sativa,  is  a  native  of  Hindustan, 
where  it  grows  in  a  wild  state  in  and  about  the  borders  of 
lakes.  The  rice  plant  is  also  a  native  of  Ethiopia.  Webster 
gives  the  Arab,  arazon,  from  araza,  to  be  contracted,  or  to  be 
firmly  fixed ;  and  he  says  the  word  is  common  to  most  of  the 
Asiatics,  Persians,  Turks,  Armenians,  and  Tatars.  Others 
derive  the  word  from  Orissa,  in  Hindustan. 

RICHARD SONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Cinchon- 
acece ;  called  after  Mr.  Richardson,  an  English  botanist. 

RICHEBOURG.  A  fine  wine  from  Richebourg,  in  Bur- 
gundy,    It  is  usually  called  Viu  de  St.  George. 

RIOLITE.  A  mineral,  colour  lead-grey,  composed  of  silver 
and  selenium  ;  found  at  Tasco,  in  Mexico ;  named  after  the 
mineralogist  Del  Rio. 

RITTERA.  A  plant,  native  of  the  Caribbees  ;  named  by 
Schreber  in  honour  either  of  Albertus,  or  Joannes  Jacobus 
Ritter,  physician  in  Silesia,  born  at  Bern  1714. 

RIVINA.  A  plant,  native  of  the  West  Indies;  named  by 
Plumier  after  Augustus  Quirinus  Rivinus,  prof,  of  physiology 
and  medicine  at  Leipzig. 

RIVINIAN.  A  name  given  to  the  excretory  ducts  of  the 
glands  situated  under  the  tongue ;  so  called  after  their  disco- 
verer, Rivinus. 

ROAM.  To  wander  ;  to  ramble  ;  to  rove  ;  to  walk  or  move 
about  from  place  to  place  without  any  certain  purpose  or  di- 
rection ;  lit.  to  wander  to  Rome  for  the  sake  of  religion. 

ROAN  (Port.  rudo).  A  sort  of  linen  for  handkerchiefs, 
made  at  Rouen,  found  Rouan. 

ROBERD'S-MAN  or  ROBERT' S-MAN.  In  the  old 
statutes  of  England,  a  bold,  stout  robber,  or  night-thief;  said 
to  be  so  called  from  Robin  Hood,  a  famous  robber. — John- 
son. 

ROBERT  or  HERB-ROBERT.  An  annual  plant,  of  the 
genus  Geranium  ;  probably  named  after  the  horticulturist. 


# 


254  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

ROBERT  SAUCE,  A  sauce  made  of  onions,  mustard, 
butter,  pepper,  salt,  and  vinegar  {Bailey) ;  probably  named 
after  the  maker. 

ROBINIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Leguminosce ;  named 
after  J.  Robin,  herbalist  to  Henry  IV.  of  France. 

ROCHE  ALUM  {Roch  alum).  A  variety  of  alum,  origi- 
nally brought  from  Roccha,  formerly  called  Edesea,  in  Syria. 
That  now  sold  under  this  name  is  common  English  alum,  arti- 
ficially coloured. 

ROCHELLE  SALT.  Tartrate  of  potassa  and  soda,  used 
in  medicine  as  a  mild  aperient ;  from  Rochelle,  in  France.  It 
is  also  called  Sel  de  Seignette.  Its  classical  name  is  Rupellensis 
sal ;  from  Rupella,  the  L.  appellation  of  Rochelle.  "  So  called 
from  M.  Seignette,  of  Rochelle,  by  whom  it  was  first  prepared  " 
{Crahb-). 

RODOMONTADE  (Fr.  id..  It.  rodomontdta).  Vain  boast- 
ing; empty  bluster  or  vaunting  ;  rant. 

"  It  is  thus  that  Lord  Palmerston  brought  to  a  close  the  too  numerous 
bravadoes  of  his  career,  by  a  declaration  which  combines  rodomontade 
with  reculade  in  a  fashion  odiously  burlesque." — 31.  Forgade. 

The  word  is  derived  from  Rodomont,  a  blustering  and  boasting 
hero  of  Boiardo,  adopted  by  Ariosto. 

ROELLA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Campanulacece,  na- 
tives of  the  Cape  and  Barbary  ;  named  by  Linnseus  in  honour 
of  William  Roelle,  prof,  of  anatomy  at  Amsterdam,  who  sent 
many  seeds  of  plants  to  Linna3us  from  both  Indies,  Africa,  and 
Japan ;  amongst  others  the  seeds  of  this  plant  from  Africa. 

ROHRIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species,  native 
of  Guiana;  named  by  Schreber  after  Julius  von  Rohr,  who 
sent  many  plants  to  Europe  from  South  America  and  the  West 
Indies. 

ROMAIC.  A  term  applied  to  the  modern  Greek  language; 
from  Rouina,  a  name  by  which  the  Arabs  called  the  Greeks. 
The  Arabic  Rum  is  used  to  designate  alike  Rome,  Greece,  the 
Turkish  empire,  Roumelia,  and  Asia  Minor. 

ROMAIKA.  A  national  Greek  dance  which  owes  its  origin 
to  the  classical  period  of  Greek  history.     See  Romaic. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  255 

ROMAN.  An  epithet  for  the  type  now  commonly  used,  in 
distinction  from  the  Italic. 

ROMANCE,  A  term  denoting  the  dialect  formerly  pre- 
valent  in   some   of  the   southern   districts  of   France,  which 

springs   directly  from  the   Roman  or  Latin   language. A 

fabulous  relation  or  story  of  adventures  and  incidents  designed 
for  the  entertainment  of  readers  ;  a  fiction  ;  as  a  verb,  to  forge 
and  tell  fictitious  stories;  to  deal  in  extravagant  stories.  "The 
Latin  ceased  to  be  spoken  in  France  about  the  ninth  century, 
and  was  succeeded  by  what  was  called  the  Romance  tongue,  a 
mixtui'e  of  the  language  of  the  Franks  and  bad  Latin.  As  the 
songs  of  chivalry  became  the  most  popular  compositions  in  that 
language,  they  were  emphatically  called  romans  or  romants, 
though  this  name  was  at  first  given  to  any  piece  of  poetry." 

ROMANEE.  A  celebrated  red  wine  grown  at  Romanee, 
dep.  Cote-d'Or,  famed  for  its  vineyards. A  common  Bur- 
gundy with  a  Romanee  label,  occasionally  sold  in  England. 

ROMANESQUE.  A  term  applied  in  painting  to  that  which 
appertains  to  romance,  or  rather  to  fable,  as  connected  with 
objects  of  fancy  ;  in  architecture,  to  the  debased  styles  subse- 
quent to,  and  imitative  of,  the  Roman ;  in  literature,  to  the 
common  dialect  in  some  of  the  southern  districts  of  France, 
the  remains  of  the  old  Roman  language. 

ROMANISM.     The  tenets  of  the  Church  of  Rome. 

ROMANIZE.  To  Latinize;  to  fill  with  Latin  words  or 
modes  of  speech  ;  to  convert  to  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  or 
opinions  ;  to  conform  to  Roman  Catholic  opinions,  customs,  or 
modes  of  speech. 

ROMANS!!  or  ROMANSCH.  The  dialect  of  the  Grisons 
in  Switzerland ;  a  corruption  of  the  Latin  or  Roman  lan- 
guage. 

ROMANTIC.  Pertaining  to  romance,  or  resembling  it; 
wild,  fanciful,  extravagant ;  as  a  romantic  taste,  romantic  no- 
tions, romantic  expectations,  romantic  zeal. Improbable  or 

chimerical ;  fictitious  ;   as  a  romantic  tale. Fanciful,  wild  ; 

full  of  wild  or  fantastic  scenery ;  as  a  romantic  prospect,  a 
romantic  situation  ;  from  romance,  q.v. 

ROMANTICISM.    The  state  of  being  romantic  or  fantastic; 


256  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

applied  chiefly  to   the   unnatural  productions   of  the  modern 
French  school  of  novelists.     See  Romance. 

ROMANZOVITE.  A  variety  of  garnet,  colour  brown  or 
brownish -yellow  ;  named  after  Count  RomanzofF. —  Cleaveland. 

ROMEINE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  antimonious  acid  and 
lime,  colour  hyacinth  or  honey -yellow ;  named  after  the 
mineralogist  Rome  de  L'Isle, 

ROMEPENNY  or  ROMESCOT.  A  tax  of  a  penny  on  a 
house,  formerly  paid  by  the  people  of  England  to  the  Church 
of  Rome. 

ROQUELAURE  (Fr.)  A  man's  cloak  used  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  last  century;  named  after  the  Due  de  Roquelaure, 
renowned  for  his  courage,  his  military  talents,  and  his  genius. 

ROS  CALABRINUS.  A  designation  of  the  officinal 
manna.     "  Dew  of  Calabria,"  a  district  of  Italy. 

ROSELITE.  A  very  rare  mineral  occurring  in  small  deep 
rose-coloured  crystals,  associated  with  cobalt  bloom,  at  Schnee- 
berg,  in  Saxony ;  named  in  honour  of  Dr.  Gustavus  Rose,  of 
Berlin,  a  learned  naturalist. 

ROTA.  A  red  wine  from  Rota,  a  seaport.  Bay  of  Cadiz  ; 
sacked  by  the  English  in  1 702. 

ROTHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  CichoracecB,  natives  of 
the  south  of  Europe;  named  by  Schreber  in  honour  of  Dr. 
Albert  William  Roth,  a  physician  of  Bremen,  author  of  Flora 
Germanica,  &c. 

ROTTBOELLA  or  ROTTBOLLIA.  An  extensive  genus 
of  grasses,  distributed  throughout  Asia,  and  also  found  in 
Egypt ;  named  by  Linnajus  the  younger  in  honour  of  Dr. 
Christian  Friis  Rottboll,  professor  of  botany  and  anatomy  at 
the  University  of  Copenhagen,  author  of  several  botanical 
treatises,  &c. —  Wright.  ■ 

ROUENNERIE.  Printed  cotton  manufactured  at  Rouen, 
in  Normandy,  and  celebrated  all  over  France. 

ROUNCENVAL.  A  variety  of  pea,  so  called  from  Ron- 
cesvalles  (Fr.  Eoncevaux),  a  frontier  village  of  Spain,  in  a 
gorge  of  the  Pyrenees. 

ROUSSEA.  A  climbing  shi'ub,  of  only  one  species,  found 
by  Commerson  in  St.  Mauritius  ;  named  by  J.  E.  Smith,  M.D., 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  257 

in  memory  of  Jean  Jacques  Rousseau,  who  wrote  very  elegant 
letters  on  botany.  Linnasus,  who  frequently  corresponded  with 
him,  had  in  his  MSS.  consecrated  a  plant  to  his  name  ;  but  the 
younger  Linna3us  having,  by  mistake,  published  that  under  the 
name  of  Russelia,  Dr.  Smith  gave  this  new,  beautiful,  and  very 
singular  genus  the  name  of  Roussea. — Miller. 

ROUSSEAU'S  DREAM.  A  celebrated  air  composed  by 
Jean  Jacques  Rousseau,  and  a  pantomime  tune  in  his  opera 
Le  Devin  du  Village.  See  N.  &  Q,,  2nd  S.  iii.,  13,  135;  and 
3rd  S.  iii.  260. 

ROUSSILLON.  A  fine  red  wine  from  Roussillon,  an  old 
province  of  France,  sepai-ated  from  Spain  by  the  Pyrenees. 

ROXBURGHIA.  Aplant,  anative  of  Coromandel;  named 
in  honour  of  William  Roxburgh,  M.D.,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
who  settled  in  the  East  Indies,  author  of  a  splendid  work  on 
the  plants  of  the  Coromandel  coast. 

ROYAN.  A  species  of  sardine  caught  in  autumn,  a  table 
delicacy  furnished  by  the  Bordeaux  markets  ;  perhaps  named 
from  Royan,  a  seaport  at  the  mouth  of  the  Gironde. 

ROYENA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  the  Cape  ;  named 
by  Linnoeus  in  honour  of  Adrian  van  Royen,  prof,  of  botany  at 
Ley  den. 

RUABON.     A  coal  from  Rhuabon,  North  Wales. 

RUBICON.  The  name  of  a  small  river  which  separated 
Italy  from  Cisalpine  Gaul,  the  province  allotted  to  Caesar. 
When  Caesar  crossed  this  river  he  invaded  Italy,  with  the  in- 
tention of  reducing  it  to  his  power:  hence  to  pass  or  cross  the. 
Rubicon  signifies  to  take  a  desperate  step  in  an  enterprise,  oi' 
to  adopt  a  measure  from  which  one  cannot  recede,  or  from 
which  one  is  determined  not  to  recede.  Some  authors  make 
the  RuUcon  the  modern  Fiumecino ;  others  the  Pisatello, 
which  flows  into  it. 

RiJDESHEIMER.  A  celebrated  red  wine  made  from 
grapes  grown  at  Riidesheim,  opposite  Bingen,  on  the  Rhine. 
The  best  quality  grows  upon   the  terraces  overhanging   the 

Rhine,  close  to  Ehrenfels. An  inferior  Rhine  wine  Avith  a 

Rudesheimer  label,  sold  in  England. 

RUDOLPHINE.      An   epithet   applied  to  a  set  of  astro- 


258  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

nomical  tables  computed  by  Kepler,  and  founded  on  the  obser- 
vations of  Tycho  Brahe ;  so  named  from  Rudolph  II.,  King  of 
Bohemia,  Emperor  of  Germany. 

RUFFIAN  (formerly  mffin  and  rouffin,  Fr.  ruffien,  a  bawd). 
A  boisterous  brutal  fellow ;  a  fellow  ready  for  any  desperate, 
crime  ;  a  robber  ;  a  cutthroat ;  a  murderer. 

"  In  the  meantime  a  commune  and  notable  rufyan  or  thefe,  whiclie 
hadde  robbed  and  slayne  a  manne,  was  entred  into  the  barne  where  Gysyp- 
jius  laye," — Sir  J.  Elyot.     The  Governovr,  b.  ii.,  c.  12. 

"  His  blood  a  traitor's  sacrifice  was  made, 
And  smok'd  indignant  on  a  ruffian's  blade." 

Young.     Last  Day,  b.  ii. 

Webster  says,  "  If  this  word  signifies  primarily  a  robber,  it  is 
from  the  root  of  roh,  Sw.  rofva,  Dan.  rover ;  in  Scottish,  ntffie 
is  a  worthless  fellow;  in  It.,  ruffiano  is  a  pimp,  Sp.  rujian,  Port. 
rujiam,  D.  i^offiaan,  id."  Todd  says,  "  Some  have  thought  that 
our  word  is  from  ruff,  the  bullies  and  swaggerers  of  old  time 
wearing  enormous  ruffs."  Ferrari  derives  ruffiano  from  L. 
rufa,  scurf  of  the  head ;  and  he  says  mfare  is  to  rub  tlie  head 
and  remove  the  scurf,  &c.  Du  Cange  derives  ruffiano  from 
rufus,  red,  because  the  hair  of  courtesans  was  ordinarily  red, 
whereas  that  of  virtuous  women  was  ordinarily  black ;  and 
Menage  adds,  that  the  Italian  ladies  who  pretended  to  gallantry, 
when  they  washed  their  heads,  made  use  of  a  wash  which  dyed 
the  hair  red,  and  that  on  account  of  its  colour  they  called  it 
la  hioncla.  He  says  also,  "  Euffen  signifie  aussi  parmy  nous  un 
homme  debauche  aux  femmes  ;  et  ce  mot  en  cette  signification 
est  plus  usite  qu'en  I'autre."  Nicot  says  the  Fr.  word  signifies 
a  maquereau  {i.e.  a  pander  or  pimp)  ;  but  that  at  all  events 
both  the  Fr.  and  Eng.  words  are  from  the  It.  mffiano,  which 
some  derive  from  Rufus,  a  celebrated  pimp,  from  rufus,  red ; 
because  pimps  wore  red  garments. 

RUIZIA.  A  genus  of  shrubs,  natives  of  the  Isle  of  Bour- 
bon ;  named  by  Cavanilles  in  honour  of  Don  Hippolito  Ruiz, 
a  Spanish  botanist,  who,  in  conjunction  with  Pavon,  wrote  the 
splendid  Flora  Peruviana. —  WrigJd, 

RUMBLE.     See  Rumbolu. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  259 

RUMBOLD.  A  carriage  of  the  stanhope  kind ;  either 
named  after  the  maker,  or  from  one  of  the  Rumbold  family : 
hence,  perhaps,  rumble,  the  hind  seat  of  a  travelling  carriage, 

for  servants. A  machine  used  to  clean  small  works  of  cast 

iron,  Avhich  soon  scrub  each  other  bright  by  friction. 

RUMFORD.  Name  of  one  of  the  earliest  improvements  of 
the  common  stove,  for  the  purpose  of  saving  fuel ;  invented  by 
the  celebrated  Count  Rumford,  whose  title  was  conferred  on 
him  by  the  Elector  of  Bavaria.  His  real  name  was  Benjamin 
Thompson,  and  he  was  born  at  Woburn,  New  England,  in  1 752. 

RUSSELIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  found  by  Jacquin  about 
Havana,  in  close  woods  and  coppices ;  named  by  him  in  honour 
of  Alexander  Russel,  M.D.,  F.R.S.,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
author  of  the  Natural  History  of  Aleppo,  Lend.  1756. 

RUTHERFORDITE.  A  mineral  occurring  along  with 
rutile,  brookite,  zircon,  and  monazite,  at  the  gold  mines  of 
Rutherford  &  Co.,  North  Carolina. 


S. 


SABAISM  or  TSABAISM.  The  name  given  by  Arabic 
writers  to  a  species  of  idolatry,  which  consisted  in  worshipping 
the  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  and  which  prevailed  to  a  great  extent 
in  Arabia  and  Mesopotomania.  Some  derive  the  word  from  the 
Sabaei  (Sa/3a/o<),  a  people  of  Arabia  Felix,  who  inhabited 
the  northern  part  of  the  modern  Yemen,  the  Sheba  or  Seba  of 
Scripture.  According  to  others,  Tsabaism  was  derived  from 
Tsabi,  son  or  brother  of  Enoch  ;  but  (says  the  writer  in  the  P. 
Cyc.)  it  is  more  probably  derived  from  their  worshipping  the 
Host  of  Heaven,  D^Dtyn-«ny.  It  is  also  called  Sabianism,  and 
the  Sabian,  Sabgean,  or  Sabaian  worship  or  religion;  and  its 
followers  Sabians,  or  Sabeans. 

vSABBATIA.  A  genus  of  North  American  plants,  nat,  or. 
Gentianacece,  of  several  species,  all  characterized  by  a  pure 
bitter  principle,  on  which  account  they  are  extensively  used  in 
North  America  in  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers ;  named 
after  L.  Sabbatia,  an  Italian  botanist. 

s-2 


260  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

SABBY.     A  soft  biscuit,  probably  from  Savoy,  q.v. 

SABELLIANISM.  The  doctrines  or  tenets  of  Sabellius, 
an  Egyptian  philosopher  of  the  third  century,  who  advanced 
the  doctrine  of  unity  in  the  Deity,  declaring  the  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  be  mere  qualities.  These  tenets  obtained  many 
proselytes,  and  met  with  great  success,  till  the  opposition  of 
St.  Dionysius  caused  them  to  be  formally  condemned. 

SABINA  {Juniperus  Sabina).  A  tree  whose  leaves  form 
the  active  ingredient  in  the  ointment  used  for  keeping  up  a 
discharge  from  blistered  surfaces ;  so  called  from  the  Sabines, 
whose  priests  used  it  in  their  religious  ceremonies. — Forsyth. 

SABINEA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Legiiminosce,  whose 
species  are  Indian  shrubs  ;  named  by  De  Candolle  after  Joseph 
Sabine,  F.R.S.,  long  time  secretary  to  the  Horticultural  Society 
of  London. 

SACK.  Formerly  a  dry  Spanish  wine,  supposed  by  some 
to  be  sherry  ;  still  applied  to  a  kind  of  sweet  rubbish. 

"  Go  fetch  me  a  quart  oi  sack,  put  a  toast  in  it." — Merry  W.  of  W. 

"  Wherein  is  he  good,  but  to  taste  sack  and  drink  it?" — 1  Hen.  IV. 

"  Let  me  rejoice  in  sprightly  sack,  that  can 
Create  a  braine  even  in  an  empty  pan. 
Canary  !"  T.  Beaumont.     The  Vertue  of  Sack. 

Bailey  renders  "sack  (Sax.  sec),  a  wine  called  canary,  broughl 
from  the  Canary  Islands ;  also  a  wine  brought  to  us  from 
Malaga,  in  Spain."  Richardson  says,  "  Lat.  saccare  is  to  strain 
through  a  sack  or  bag  ;  and  in  Low  Lat.  saccare,  per  saccum 
colare  et  exprimere ;  and  saccadmn,  liquor  aquaj  fceci  vini  ad- 
mixtus,  sacco  expressus  (Du  Canrje).  For  the  kind  of  wine  so 
called,  see  the  commentators  on  Shakesj)eare,  Hen.  IV.  pt.  i. 
{Drake);  Shakespeare  and  his  Times,  vol.  ii.,  p.  130."  Ac- 
cording to  some,  it  was  called  from  Xeque,  a  prov.  of  Spain, 
whence  it  was  brought ;  but  the  name  of  this  wine  is  found 
written  shems-sack  or  sec,  i.e.  dry  sherry :  hence,  by  abbre- 
viation, sack.     See  Sherry. 

SADDUCISM.     The  doctrine  or  opinion  of  the  Sadducees. 

SAGERETIA.      A  genus  of   plants,  nat.  fam.  Rhamnece^ 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  261 

Avhose  species  arc  found  in  both  North  Jind  South  America, 
Java,  China,  and  in  India  along  the  foot  of  the  Himalayas  ; 
named  after  M.  Sageret,  a  French  vegetable  physiologist. 

SAHLITE,  A  massive  cleavable  variety  of  augite,  first 
obtained  at  the  Sahla  mountain,  in  Westermania. 

ST.  ANTHONY'S  FIRE.  Popular  name  of  the  erysipelas; 
so  called  because  supposed  to  have  been  cured  by  intercession 
of  St.  Anthony. 

ST.  CRISPIN'S  LANCE.  An  awl,  so  named  from  Cris- 
pin, the  famous  patron  of  the  shoemakers. — Bailei/. 

ST.  EMILION.  A  celebrated  wine  made  at  St.  Emilion, 
France,  dep.  Gironde. 

ST.  IGNATIUS'S   BEAN.     Seed  of  the  Ignatia  amara, 
having  similar  properties  to  those  of  nux  vomica  ;  named  after ' 
St.  Ignatius. 

ST.  JOHN'S  BREAD.  A  plant  of  the  genus  Cemtonia ; 
also  called  the  Carob  Tree. — P.  Cyc. 

ST.  JOHN'S  WORT.  A  name  common  to  plants  of  the 
genus  Hypericum,  most  of  which  have  yellow  flowers. 

ST.  JULIEN.     A  red  wine,  named  from  a  village  near 

Bordeaux. In  England,  a  wine  made  of  acetic  acid,  cream 

of  tartar,  and  coloured  with  cochineal  or  some  other  substance. 
In  France,  a  variety  of  prune. 

ST.  MICHAEL.  An  orange  brought  from  St.  Michael 
(San  Miguel),  largest  of  the  Azores  or  Western  Islands. 

ST.  P£RAY.  A  fine  high-flavoured  white  Rhone  wine 
ft'om  Saint  Peray,  dep.  Ardeche,  renowned  for  its  white  wines. 

ST.  PETER'S  WORT.  A  plant  of  the  genus  Asct/nm, 
and  another  of  the  genus  Hijpericum.     See  Samphire. 

ST.  STEPHEN'S.  Parliament  House,  Westminster;  so 
called  because  St.  Stephen's  Chapel  was,  till  lately,  used  by 
the  Lower  House  for  its  sittings. — S.  F.  Cresivell. 

ST.  VITUS'S  DANCE  {Dansc  de  St.  Guy).  A  disease 
affecting  with  irregular  movements  the  muscles  of  voluntary 
motion,  and  attended  with  a  great  failure  of  the  general  phy- 
sical strength,  called  by  physicians  Chorea  Sancti  Viti.  The 
name  is  said  to  have  been  borrowed  from  some  devotees  of  St. 
Vitus,  who  exercised  themselves  so  long  in  dancing  that  their 


262  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

intellects  became  disordered  (P.  Cyc.)  This  disease  first  broke 
out  in  the  Archbishopric  of  Treves  and  Cologne,  and  other 
parts  of  Germany,  in  1374.  The  name  was  derived  from  a 
chapel  in  Ulm,  dedicated  to  St.  Vitus,  which  was  greatly  in 
vogue  with  those  afilicted  with  the  disease,  who  flocked  thither 
in  crowds  to  entreat  the  saint's  intercession  in  their  behalf. 
N.  &  Q.  2nd  S.  ii.  188  ;  Lit.  Gazette,  July  12,  1856.  Horstius 
says  the  name  was  given  to  it  in  consequence  of  the  cure  of 
certain  women  of  disordered  mind,  upon  their  visiting  the 
chapel  of  St.  Vitus,  and  there  dancing  from  morning  till  night. 

SAL   MARTIS  {Salt  of  Mars).     Green  sulphate  of  iron. 

SALAM-STONE.  A  kind  of  blue  sapphire  brought  from 
Ceylon  {Dana) ;  probably  derived  from  Selan  (Port.  Selan), 
the  Malay  name  for  Ceylon. 

SALIAN.  "  The  original  dance  among  the  Romans,"  says 
M.  Blasis,  "  was  the  Salian,  taught  first  by  Salius,  an  Arcadian; 
whence  the  word  stJtatio."  Our  author  is  of  opinion  that  the 
saltatio  was  very  similar  to  the  Italian  grotesque,  which  was 
nearly  the  same  as  our  modern  tumbling,  or  the  buffoonery  of 
our  English  clowns  (Fosbroke,  Encyc.  Antiq.  Lond.   1840, 

697). 

SALIC  (Fr.  salique).  Appellation  of  a  law  of  France  by 
which  males  alone  can  inherit  the  throne.  "  A  law  in  France 
made  by  King  Pharamond,  or,  as  some  say,  by  Philip  the  Long, 
by  which  females  were  excluded  from  the  throne"  (CraJ6). 
Echard  deduces  this  word  from  sala,  a  house,  and  the  law  from 
the  circumstance  that  a  male  only  could  inherit  his  father's 
mansion  and  the  court  or  laud  enclosed  (Cf.  Montesq.  b.  18); 
others  derive  the  word  from  sale  {sailed),  because  ordained 
only  for  the  sales  {salles  ?)  and  royal  palaces ;  or  from  sel,  salt, 
as  though  a  laAV  full  of  salt,  i.e.  of  wisdom,  by  a  metaphor 
drawn  from  salt.  Indeed,  D'avisson  derives  it  from  G.  saltz 
and  Zj'/j  (salt-like).  "  Hanc  legem  Salicam  barbaro  vocabulo 
nuncupant  origine  et  nomine,  a  sale  deducta.  Vox  enim  Salica, 
soils  Gallis  usurpata,  sunt  duse  voces,  a  vetere  Germanico 
idiomate  corruptee.  Saltz  quippe  Latinis  sal  vocatur.  Et  vox 
ipsa  lik,  similitudinem  aut  simile  aliquid  denotans.  Undo  vo- 
cabulum  illud  barbarum  Salik.     Lex  ilia  conservatrix,  seu  sali 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  263 

similis,  vulgo  Salica  dicta."  Postel  says  it  had  its  origin  from 
the  Gauls,  and  that  it  was  called  Salique  for  Gallique,  "  pour 
la  proximite  et  voisinage  que  la  lettrc  g  en  viel  moule,  avait 
avec  la  lettre  s."  According  to  others,  "  Salique  is  a  contrac- 
tion of  Salomonique,  because  Solomon  was  the  first  who  prac- 
tised this  law  in  Judea,  in  the  person  of  his  son  Rehoboam." 
The  word  has  also  been  derived  from  Salogast,  one  of  the 
chief  counsellors  of  Pharamond.  Indeed,  some  assert  that 
Pharamond  himself  was  called  Saliqtie.  "  The  most  reasonable 
derivation,"  says  Menage,  "  is  from  the  Saliens  (Salii),  the  name 
given  to  the  Franks  who  dwelt  on  the  borders  of  the  Saale 
(Sala),  in  Germany." 

SALISBURY.  A  tree  from  China ;  but  why  so  named  is 
doubtful.  "  Salisburia,  maiden-hair  tree,  a  genus  of  plants, 
nat.  or.  Taxacece''^  {Crabb). 

SALLY  LUNN.  "  The  bun  so  fashionable,  called  the  sally 
lunn,  originated  with  a  young  woman  of  that  name  at  Bath 
about  thirty  years  ago.  She  cried  them  on  a  basket,  with  a 
white  cloth  over  it,  morning  and  evening.  Dalmer,  a  respect- 
able baker  and  musician,  noticed  her,  bought  her  business,  and 
made  a  song  and  set  it  to  music  in  behalf  of  Sally  Lunn.  This 
composition  became  the  street  favourite ;  barrows  wei'e  made 
to  distribute  the  nice  cakes ;  Dalmer  profited  thereby  and  re- 
tired, and  to  this  day  the  sally  lunn  cake  claims  pre-eminence 
in  all  the  cities  of  England  "  (Hone's  Every  Day  Book,  1826). 

SAM.  To  "  stand  Sam."  To  pay  for  refreshment  or  drink; 
to  stand  paymaster  for  anything.  An  Americanism,  originating 
in  the  letters  U.  S.  on  the  knapsacks  of  the  United  States 
soldiers,  which  letters  were  jocularly  said  to  be  the  initials  of 
Uncle  Sam  (the  Government),  who  pays  for  all.  In  use  in  this 
country  (England)  as  early  as  1827. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

SAMARITAN.  A  term  denoting  the  ancient  characters 
and  alphabet  used  by  the  Hebi'ews  before  the  Babylonish  cap- 
tivity, and  retained  by  the  Samaritans  ;  so  called  from  Samaria, 
principal  city  of  the  ten  tribes  of  Israel,  belonging  to  the  tribe 
of  Ephraim,  and,  after  the  captivity  of  those  tribes,  repeopled 

by  Cushites   from  Assyria  or   Chaldea. The  language  of 

Samaria,  a  dialect  of  the  Chaldean. 


264  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

SAMIAN  EARTH.  A  marl  of  two  species,  formerly  used 
in  medicine  as  an  astringent ;  named  from  the  isle  of  Samos. 

SAMIAN  STONE.  A  sort  of  polishing  stone  used  by 
goldsmiths.     See  Samian  Earth. 

SAMIAN  WARE.  Vessels,  bowls,  and  dishes  of  a  bright 
red  colour,  and  of  various  sizes,  fragments  of  Avhich  have  been 
discovered  in  almost  every  European  country.  Cf.  Gent.  Mag. 
Ap.  1844,  p.  369  ;  and  Jan.  1845,  p.  23.     See  Samian  Earth. 

SAMPHIRE  or  SAMPIRE.  A  herb  of  the  genus  Crith- 
7num,  which  grows  upon  rocky  cliffs  near  the  sea-shore,  where 
it  is  washed  by  the  salt  Avater.  It  is  used  for  pickling.  In 
the  United  States  the  term  is  applied  to  what  in  England  is 
called  glass-Avort.  The  name  is  said  to  be  a  corruption  of  St. 
Pierre  (St.  Peter). 

SAMPSON.     An  Australian  drink.     See  Samson. 

SAMSON.  A  cant  name  given  to  gin  by  some  vendors^ 
from  its  strength ;  from  the  Scripture  Samson. 

SAMSON'S  POST.  In  ships,  a  strong  post  resting  on  the 
keelson,  and  supporting  a  beam  of  the  deck  over  the  hold ; 
probably  named,  from  its  strength,  from  the  Scripture  Samson. 

A  temporary  or  moveable  pillar  carrying  a  leading  block 

or  pulley  for  various  purposes. 

SAND,  GEORGES  SAND.  A  variety  of  chrysanthemum, 
red,  gold  centre  ;  named  after  the  celebrated  French  writer. 

SANDWICH.  Two  pieces  of  bread  and  butter,  with  a  thin 
slice  of  ham  or  other  meat  between  them  ;  said  to  have  been  a 
favourite  dish  of  the  Earl  of  Sandwich.  "  Lord  Sandifich 
brought  into  fashion  the  luncheon  of  seasoned  meat  between 
slices  of  bread  and  butter,  which  goes  by  his  name  "  (N.  h  Q. 
2nd  S.  vii.  418,  447). 

"  When  Tom  Macaulay's  Indian  sits 
Where  London's  ruins  stretch  afar, 
Little  he'll  tliink  of  England's  fame, 
Of  Waterloo  and  Trafalgar. 

"  Yet  England's  earls  e'on  then  shall  live, 
Remember'd  by  our  tawny  censor, 
\^'hi!st  yet  he  boasts  his  '  Sandwich  '  box. 
And  wraps  h'ua  in  his  '  Spencer.'  '* 


VERBA    NOMTNALIA.  265 

"  A  human  advertising  medium  placed  between  tAVo  hoards 

strapped  over  his  shouKIcr.  A  load  in  the  hole  is  the  term 
ajiplied  to  the  same  individual  when  his  person  is  conjQned  by 
a  four-sided  box  "  (/.  C.  Ilotten).     See  also  Spencer. 

SANTORIN.  A  dry  red  wine,  with  a  port  wine  flavour  ; 
from  Santorin,  lai'gest  of  a  small  group  of  islands  in  the  Grecian 
Archipelago.  This  island  was  also  called  Thera  and  Calliste : 
hence  Thera,  a  white  wine,  full  of  body,  and  Sercial  Madeira 
character ;  and  Calliste,  a  very  superior  stout  wine,  equivalent 
to  and  resembling  Bucellas.  Coriuthe  is  also  the  name  of  a 
stout  full-bodied  wine,  of  a  champagne  flavour,  from  the  same 
island  ;  but  probably  named  from  Corinth. 

SAPPHIC  VERSE.  The  versification  used  by  Sappho, 
the  Grecian  poetess.  "  The  Sapphic  verse  consists  of  eleven 
syllables  in  five  feet,  of  which  the  first,  fourth,  and  fifth  are 
trochees,  the  second  a  spondee,  and  the  third  a  dactyl.  The 
Sapphic  strophe  consists  of  three  Sapphic  verses  followed  by  an 
Adonic  "  {Brande). 

SARACENIC.  Denoting  the  architecture  of  the  Saracens, 
the  modern  Gothic. 

SARASIN  or  SARRASINE  (Fr.  sarrasin).  A  plant,  a 
kind  of  birth-wort  {Poh/gomim  fagopynmi);  so  called,  says 
Bouillet,  because,  originally  from  Persia,  it  was  bi'ought  into 

Spain  by  the  Arabs  or  Saracens. In  fortification,  a  sort  of 

portcullis  or  herse ;  perhaps  first  invented  or  copied  from  the 
Saracens.  The  French  give  the  appellation  of  sarrasin  to  a 
sort  of  wheat  (buckwheat),  originally  from  Africa,  and  said  to 
have  been  named  from  the  Saracens. 

SARCENET  (Fr.  id..  Low.  L.  saracenicmn) .  A  fine  thin 
woven  silk.  The  name  is  found  written  saracennet,  and  is 
supposed  to  be  a  corruption  of  Saracenic,  i.e.  of  Saracen  or 
Oriental  origin.  Bailey  gives  It.  saracinetto,  q.d.  Saracen's 
silk.  Webster  says,  "  Qu.  saracenicum  or  Saracen  silk."  Skin- 
ner gives  sericum  saracenicum.  "  Sarcenet  or  saracennet,  from 
its  Saracenic  or  Oriental  origin,  was  known  about  this  period 
(Edw.  T.)  The  robe  of  Largesse  or  Liberality  in  the  '  Roman 
de  la  Rose '  is  said  to  have  been — 


266  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

'  Bonne  et  belle, 
D'une  coute  toute  nouvelle, 
D'un  pourpre  Snrrascinesche.'  " 

Line  1172.     Planche. 

"  Thou  tender  heir  apparent  to  a  church-ale, 
Thou  sleight  prince  of  single  sarcenet." 

Beaum.  §•  F.     Philaster,  act  v.  sc.  i. 

Dufresne  gives  "  Saracenicum,  pannus  Saracenici  operis,  Sar- 
cenet, in  Inventario  Eccl.  Eboracensis  ann.  1530  in  Monastico 
Anglic,  torn.  3,  pag.  177 :  Item  una  capa  del  Sarcenet,  operata 
cum  imaginihus,  etc.  Saracenicum  opus,  ibidem  non  semel  pag. 
321,  326,  etc.  [Vide  Sarantasmum.']"  Also  ^^ Saracenu7n,\e\axnQ\\ 
sanctimonialium  comput.  ann.  1239,  ex.  Bibl.  Reg.:  Abhatissa 
S.  Antonii  2yro  vi.  supertunicalibus  emptis  apud  Pontisaimm,  pro 
Saracenis,  camisiis ;  hraccis,  sotularibus,  et  caligis,  etc.  Saracenum 
dici  videtur  quod  Saracenis  mulieribus  maxime  solitura  erat 
caput  velamento   operire,   ut   testatur   le   Roman   de   la   Rose 

MS. : 

*  Mes  ne  quevre  pas  le  visage, 
Qu'il  ne  veut  pas  tenir  I'usage 
Des  Sarrasins,  qui  d'estamines 
Cuevrent  le  vis  as  Sarrasines 
Quant  il  trespassent  par  la  voie 
Que  nus  trespassans  ne  les  voie, 
Tant  sont  plains  de  jalouse  rage.' 

Nisi  mails  vocis  originem  deducere  a  Saracenicum^  quod  ex 
panno  Saracenici  o^^QVlS  erant  ejusmodi  velamina  (Vide  Gloss. 
Med.  Grrecit.  v.  2>capav<)tov)." 

SARD,  SARDOIN.  A  variety  of  chalcedony,  colour  rich 
brownish-red;  from  the  same  root  as  sardel,  q.v. 

SARDEL,  SARDINE  (L.  sardius,  Gr.  ara^hov).  A  pre- 
cious stone ;  from  Sardis,  now  Sart,  in  Asia  Minor.  One  of 
the  kind  was  set  in  Aaron's  breastplate  (Exod.  xxviii). 

SARDINE  or  SARDEL.  A  Mediterranean  fish,  often 
prepared,  like  the  anchovy,  as  a  delicacy  ;  so  called  from  being 
caught  near  the  island  of  Sardinia.  Menage  (quoting  Isidore, 
xii.  6)  seems  to  think  that  the  Sardine  (It.  sardina,  sardella) 
was  so  named  from  resembling  a  fish  called  the  sar,  which 
abounded  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Tyre,  formerly  called  Sarra 
from  that  circumstance. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  267 

SARDINIAN.     A  graceful  vehicle,  named  after  its  patron, 
the  King  of  Sardinia. 

SARDONIA.  A  kind  of  smallage;  from  Sardonia  (where  ?), 
its  native  soil. — Forsyth. 

SARDONIC.  An  ejiithet  applied  to  that  forced,  heartless, 
or  bitter  laugh  or  grin  which  but  ill  conceals  a  person's  real 
feelings  ;  so  called  from  the  Sardonic  laugh  {Sardonicus  risns), 
a  spasmodic  affection  of  the  muscles  of  the  face,  in  which  the 
lips  are  drawn  involuntarily  apart,  giving  it  a  horrible  appear- 
ance of  laughter ;  frequently  met  with  as  one  of  the  symptoms 
of  tetanus  or  locked  jaw,  or  as  an  attendant  on  other  convulsive 
affections.  It  is  said  to  have  been  originally  caused  by  eating 
the  Herba  Sardonica  or  Sardoa,  a  species  of  ranunculus  (ranun- 
cidus  sceleratus  of  Linnaeus)  growing  in  Sardinia. 

SARDONYX  (Gr.  a-apSovu^,  L.  sardonyx,  sardonyches).  A 
stone  or  gem,  nearly  allied  to  onyx ;  colour  reddish-yellow,  or 
nearly  orange ;  so  called  from  Sardis  (hod.  Sart),  in  Asia 
Minor,  and  ovu^,  a  nail,  claw,  &c. ;  "from  the  resemblance  of 
its  colour  to  the  flesh  under  the  nail "  (Plin.  lib.  37,  6).  Bailey 
says,  "  Partly  of  the  colour  of  a  man's  nail,  partly  of  a  cornelian 
colour."  According  to  others,  the  sardonyx  had  its  name  fi'om 
Sardo,  the  Greek  name  of  Sardinia,  whence  the  Carthaginians 
are  said  to  have  exported  it. 

SARRACENIA.  A  genus  of  handsome  plants,  nat.  or. 
SarraceniacecB  or  Sarracenice,  of  four  species,  natives  of  North 
America ;  named  by  Tournefort  in  honour  of  Dr.  Sarrazin  of 
Quebec,  regius  prof,  of  anatomy  and  botany,  who  sent  this 
plant  to  him  from  Canada. 

SARSAPARILLA  (O.  Fr.  sarzepareiUe,  Sp.  sarsaparilla) . 
A  plant,  a  species  of  smilax,  whose  root  is  valued  in  medicine 
for  its  mucilaginous  and  farinaceous  or  demulcent  qualities 
{Encyc.)  Much  used  in  medicine  to  counteract  the  effects  of 
mercury.  Some  derive  the  word  from  Sp.  zarza,  a  bramble, 
parilla,  diminutive  of  parra,  a  vine.  Forsyth  says  it  is  of 
Spanish  origin,  and  signifies  "  red  tree."  Joseph  Scaliger  says 
saza  parilla  is  the  true  smilax  aspei'a,  well  known  at  Mont- 
pellier,  and  was  so  named  from  Sp.  qarza  (zdrza,  a  common 
thorn),  and  Parillo,  a  Spanish  physician  who  first  made  use  of 


268  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

it  as  a  medicine,  aud  who  introduced  it  into  France  ;  and  that 
the  doctors  of  Montpellier  always  make  sarsaparilhi  from  the 
roots  of  the  smilax. 

SASSOLIN,  SASSOLINE.  Native  boracid  acid,  found  in 
saline  incrustations  on  the  borders  of  hot  springs  near  Sasso, 
in  Italy. 

SATIRE.  A  composition  strongly  seasoned  with  raillery. 
By  some  derived  from  Satyr;  but  most  probably  from  Satura 
Itmx,  an  olio,  a  medley. — S.  F.  Cresivell. 

SATURDAY.  The  last  day  of  the  week;  the  Jewish 
Sabbath ;  from  A.  S.  Sceternes-dceg,  Saturn's  day.     See  Saturn. 

SATUREIA.  A  genus  of  plants  in  the  Linnsean  system  ; 
so  called  from  the  lustful  Satijrs,  because  it  makes  those  who 

eat  it  lascivious  {Blanch). The  pharmacopoeial  name  of  the 

summer  savory. 

SATURN.  One  of  the  planets  of  the  solar  system,  next  in 
magnitude  to  Jupiter,  but  more  remote  from  the  sun ;  so  called 
from  Saturn,  one  of  the  oldest  and  principal  deities,  son  of 
Coelus  and  Terra,  and  father  of  Jupiier.  The  Gr.  aame  was 
Kpovof,  which  at  a  later  period  was  made  equivalent  to  Xpovoe, 

time. Saturnus.     In  the  ancient  chemistry,  a  name  given  to 

lead. Another  name  for  the  sable  colour  in  coats  of  arms. 

SATURNALIA.  Among  the  Romans,  the  festival  of 
Saturn,  celebrated  in  December  as  a  period  of  unrestrained 
licence  and  merriment  for  all  classes,  extending  even  to  the 
slaves.     See  Saturn. 

SATURNALIAN.  Loose,  dissolute,  sportive  ;  lit.  pertain- 
ing to  the  Saturnalia,  q.v. 

SATURNIAN.  Golden,  happy,  distinguished  for  purity, 
integrity,  and  simplicity. 

"  Th'  Augustus,  born  to  bring  Saturnian  times." — Pope. 

Lit.  pertaining  to  Saturn,  whose  age  or  reign,  from  the  mildness 

and  wisdom  of  his  government,  is  called  the  golden  age. A 

verse,  a  kind  of  iambic  used  by  the  Romans,  consisting  of  six 
feet  and  a  syllable  over. 

SATURNINE.     Child-devouring;    so  called  from  Saturn, 


VERBA    NOMINALTA.  269 

Avho  devoured  his  sons  ns  soon  :is  born,   beeuuse  he  dreaded 
from  them  a  retaliation  of  his  unkindness  to  his  father. 

"  The  Revolution,  struck  to  save  the  Republic,  has  displayed  its  old 
Satuniitu;  voracity,  for  the  majority  of  the  newspapers  devoured  by  it  were 
Republican." 

Supposed  to  be  under  the  influence  of  Saturn  :  hence  dull, 


heavy,  grave,  not  readily  susceptible  of  excitement,  phlegmatic; 
as  a  saturnine  person  or  temper. In  ancient  chemistry,  per- 
taining to  lead  ;  as  saturnine  compounds. 

SATURNITE.  A  metallic  substance,  separated  from  lead 
in  torrefaction,  resembling  lead  in  its  colour,  weight,  &c.,  l)ut 
more  fusible  and  brittle  {ohs.')',  so  called  from  Saturn,  an  old 
appellation  of  lead. 

SATYRIASIS  {^atupiagig').  Immoderate  venereal  appe- 
tite {Coxe^.  "  From  aaTupo;,  a  satyr,  because  they  are  said  to 
be  greatly  addicted  to  venery  "  (^Forsytli). 

SATYRIUM,  SATYRION.  A  plant,  supposed  to  excite 
salacity  (Pope)  ;  so  called  from  the  satyrs.  See  Satureia  ; 
also  Forsyth's  Med.  Diet,  under  "  Satyrion." 

SAUSSURITE.  A  mineral,  colour  white,  greenish,  or 
greyish,  consisting  of  silica,  alumina,  lime,  and  oxide  of  iron  ; 
named  after  M.  Saussure,  who  discovered  it. 

SAUTERNE.  One  of  the  best  white  wines  of  the  Borde- 
lais,  made  from  grapes  growing  at  Sauternes,  dep.  Gironde, 
situate  in  the  midst  of  vineyards.  It  may  occasionally  be  had 
in  England. 

SAVITE.  A  mineral ;  a  hydrous  silicate,  occurring  in  the 
gabbro  rosso  of  Tuscany  ;  named  after  M.  Savi. 

SAVOY.     Common  name  of  a  hardy  cabbage,  much  culti- 
vated for  winter  use ;    so   called   from  the  duchy  of   Savoy 
whence  it  was  first  brought. 

SAVOYARD.  In  Paris,  a  sweep ;  lit.  a  native  of  Savoy, 
whence  the  Paris  sweeps  chiefly  come. 

SAWNEY.  Nickname  for  a  Scotchman,  from  Sawney,  a 
common  Christian  name  in  Scotland  ;  corrupted  from  Alex- 
ander.  A  simpleton  ;  a  gaping  awkward  lout. 

SAXON    BLUE.     A  deep  blue  liquid  used  in  dyeing,  and 


270  VERBA   NOMINALTA. 

obtained  by  dissolving  indigo  in  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  ; 
so  called  from  Saxony,  whence  it  was  first  brought. 

SAXONISM.     An  idiom  of  the  Saxon  language. 

SCALLION.  A  young  onion ;  so  called  in  the  North  of 
England ;  from  Ascalon  (S.  F.  Creswell).  See  Gerarde's 
Herbal,  and  cf.  Shallot. 

SCAMANDER.  To  wander  about  without  a  settled  pur- 
pose ;  possibly  in  allusion  to  the  winding  course  of  the  Homeric 
river  of  that  name. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

SCARBOROUGH  WARNING.  A  warning  too  shortly 
given  to  be  taken  advantage  of.  When  a  person  is  driven 
over,  and  then  told  to  keep  out  of  the  way,  he  receives  Scar- 
borough ivarning.  Fuller  says  the  proverb  alludes  to  an  event 
which  happened  at  that  place  in  1557,  Avhen  Thomas  Stafford 
seized  upon  Scarborough  Castle  before  the  townsmen  had  the 
least  notice  of  his  approach. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

SCARBROITE.  Hydrated  silicate  of  alumina,  occurring 
in  beds  of  sandstone  covering  the  calcareous  rock  near  Scar- 
borough. 

SCH^FFERA.  A  small  tree  or  shrub,  native  of  the  West 
Indies,  discovered  by  Jacquin  about  Carthagena  in  New  Spain ; 
named  by  him  in  honour  of  Jacob  Christian  Schjeffer,  super- 
intendent of  the  church  at  Ratisbon,  author  of  Studii  Botanici 
Methodus,  1758,  &c. 

SCHEELE'S  GREEN.  A  pigment  obtained  by  mixing 
arseniate  of  potassa  with  sulphate  of  copper ;  perhaps  first 
mixed  by  Scheele.     See  next. 

SCHEELINE  or  SCHEELIUM  (Fr.  scheelite).  A  name 
sometimes  given  to  the  metal  tungsten,  in  honour  of  Charles 
William  Scheele,  an  eminent  chemist,  who  was  born  in  1742 
at  Stralsund,  and  who  discovered  the  oxalic,  fluoric,  malic,  and 
lactic  acids. 

SCHEFFLERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species, 
native  of  New  Zealand ;  named  by  Forster  in  honour  of 
Schefiler,  physician  and  botanist  at  Dantzic. 

SCHEUCHZERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  natives  of  Lapland, 
Siberia,  Sweden,  Denmark,  Germany,  Prussia,  and  Dauphine; 
named  by  Linnceus  in  memory  of  the  brothers  Scheuchzer,  the 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  271 

one  professor  of  mathematics  at  Ziiricli,  author  of  Itinera 
Alpina,  the  other  professor  of  physics  at  Ziirich,  author  of  a 
celebrated  treatise  on  grasses. 

SCHIEDAM.  A  name  for  holhmds  gin ;  so  called  from 
Schiedam,  in  Holland,  which  contains  upwards  of  one  hundred 
distilleries,  and  is  the  chief  seat  of  the  manufacture  of  Dutch 
gin.  The  town  has  also  a  large  trade  in  pigs,  30,000  of 
which  are  said  to  be  annually  fattened  on  the  refuse  of  the 
distilleries. 

SCHMIDELIA.  A  tree  resembling  Rhus  trifoliata,  native 
of  the  East  Indies ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of  Casimir 
Christopher  Schmidel,  author  of  Icones  et  Analyses  Planta- 
rum,  Gesneri  Botanica. 

SCHNEIDERIAN  MEMBRANE.  The  pituitary  mem- 
brane, which  secretes  the  mucus  of  the  nose ;  named  after 
Schneider,  who  first  described  it. 

SCHNEIDERITE.  A  mineral  found  with  sloanite  in  the 
gabbro  rosso  of  Tuscany;  named  after  Schneider,  director  of 
the  mine  of  Mount  Catini. 

SCHOEPFIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species,  a 
small  tree,  native  of  Santa  Cruz  and  Montserrat ;  named  by 
Schreber  in  honour  of  Johann  David  Schoepf,  president  of  the 
medical  college  at  Anspach,  author  of  Materia  Medica  Ameri- 
cana, &c. 

SCHOTIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species,  native 
of  Senegal  and  the  Cape ;  named  by  Jacquin  after  Richard 
Van  der  Schot,  companion  in  his  travels. 

SCHOTTISCHE  ("Scottish").  A  celebrated  dance  of 
German  origin. 

SCHRADERA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  two  species,  the  one 
discovered  by  Ryan  in  the  island  of  Montserrat,  the  other 
native  of  Jamaica ;  named  by  Vahl  after  Hen.  A.  Schrader, 
author  of  Spicilegium  Flor^  GermanicaB,  Hann.  179'4. 

SCHREBERA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species,  a 
large  timber  tree,  native  of  the  Rajahmundry  Circar ;  named 
in  honour  of  Joseph  Christian  Dan.  Schreb,  professor  of 
physic,  &c.,  at  Erlaug,  editor  of  Linna^us's  Genera  Plantarum, 
and  author  of  many  works  on  botany. 


272  VERBA    NOMINALTA. 

SCHROTTERITE.  A  mineral  found  in  nodules  between 
granular  limestone  and  clay  slate  on  the  Dollinger  Mountain, 
near  Freienstein,  in  Styria ;  analysed  by  Schrotter. 

SCHWALBEA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species, 
native  of  North  America;  named  by  Linnseus  after  Schwalbe, 
a  physician, 

SCHWEINFURTH  GREEN.  A  compound  of  arsenious 
acid  and  oxide  of  copper,  resembling  Scheele's  green  ;  probably 
named  from  Schweinfurt,  in  Bavaria. 

SCHWENKIA.  A  biennial  plant,  native  of  Guinea ; 
named  by  Van  Royen  after  Martin  Wilhelm  Schwencke,  phy- 
sician and  professor  of  botany  at  the  Hague,  died  1785. 

SCOTTICISM.  An  idiom  or  peculiar  expression  of  the 
natives  of  Scotland. 

SCYTHICUS.  A  name  for  the  liquorice-root,  or  any- 
thing brought  from  Scythia ;  from  Scythia,  its  native  soil. — 
Forsyth. 

SEDAN.  A  portable  chair  or  covered  vehicle  for  carrying 
one  person,  and  borne  on  poles  by  two  men  (^Dryden ;  Encyc.) 
Some  derive  the  word  from  L.  sedeo,  to  sit ;  others  from  the 
town  of  Sedan,  in  France,  where  this  article  was  first  made. 
"  It  was  in  1634  that  Sir  Saunders  Duncombe  first  introduced 
Sedan  chairs.  Sir  Saunders  was  a  great  traveller,  and  had 
seen  these  chairs  at  Sedan,  where  they  were  first  invented  " 

{Pulleyn). A  sort  of  cloth  from  Sedan. 

SEIDLITZ  WATER.  A  saline  mineral  water  from  Seid- 
litz,  in  Bohemia,  often  taken  as  an  agreeable  aperient.  Seidlitz 
powders  are  intended  to  produce  the  same  effect  with  Seidlitz 
water. 

SEIGNETTE'S  SALT.  A  neutral  salt  consisting  of  soda, 
potash,  and  tartaric  acid ;  prepared  and  made  known  by  a 
Frenchman  named  Peter  Seignette,  an  apothecary  of  Rochelle, 
about  the  end  of  the  seventeeth  century,  when  it  was  employed 
in  preference  to  many  other  medicines  long  known,  which  had 
been  equally  serviceable. — Forsyth. 

SELLA  TURCICA  (^j>/H)?/)mm).  A  cavity  in  the  sphenoid 
bone,  containing  the  pituitary  gland,  suiTounded  by  the  four 
clinoid  processes ;  from  sella,  quasi  sedda,  from  sedere,  to  sit, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  273 

and  Turcica,  from  its  supposed  resemblance  to  a  Turkish  saddle. 
— Forsyth. 

SELTZER  WATER  (Properly  Selter's  Water ;  G.  Seltzer 
wasser,  Fr.  Ecm  de  Seltz).  A  mineral  water  containing  much 
free  carbonic  acid  ;  named  from  a  spring  near  the  village  of 
Nieder-Selters,  in  the  duchy  of  Nassau. 

SEMOLINA  (It. ;  Fr.  semoule).  This  substance,  as  well  as 
soojee  and  manna  croup,  are  granular  preparations  of  wheat, 
deprived  of  bran.  The  word  is  said  to  be  derived  from  Sejno, 
a  tutelar  deity  of  sown  corn.  Others  derive  it  from  semi- 
moulu,  half-ground. 

SENEBIERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Crucifera ; 
named  in  honour  of  John  de  Senebier,  of  Geneva,  a  vegetable 
physiologist. 

SENEGA  or  SENEKA.  The  plant  called  snakeroot, 
rattlesnake-root,  and  Polygala  Senega,  growing  in  the  moun- 
tainous parts  of  the  United  States.  It  was  so  named  from 
having  been  employed  by  the  Seneca  or  Senegaw  Indians  as  a 
remedy  for  the  bite  of  the  rattlesnake. 

SENEGIN.  A  name  given  to  polygalic  acid,  the  native 
principle  of  the  senega  root.     See  Senega. 

SEQUIN  (found  chequin,  zechin,  and  zequin  ;  Fr.  seqiiin. 
It.  zecchind).  A  gold  coin  of  Italy  and  Turkey.  The  average 
value  at  Venice  and  in  other  parts  of  Italy  is  9s.  5d.  sterling; 
in  Turkey  the  sequin  fonducli  is  valued  at  7s.  ^d.  sterling. 
Webster,  under  "  Zechin,"  says,  "  If  named  from  Zecha,  the  place 
where  minted,  this  is  the  correct  orthography."  Bailey,  under 
"  Zechin,  Zacliin,"  says,  "  So  called  from  La  Zeeclia,  a  place  in 
the  city  of  Venice,  where  the  mint  is  settled ;"  probably  from 
Stjxtj,  a  repository ;  thus  Qvjx-ij,  theca,  zeca,  Zecca.  The  Spanish 
has,  however,  zequi,  a  zechin,  an  Arabic  gold  coin  formerly 
used  in  Spain,  and  the  Arab,  has  zuwak,  argentum  vivum. 

SERAPIAS.  Helleborine.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or. 
Orchidacem ;  "  from  Serapis,  a  lascivious  idol;  so  called  because 
it  was  thought  to  promote  venery,  or  from  the  testiculated 
shape  of  its  roots  "  (Hooper,  Lex.  Med.) 

SERGE  (Fr.  id. ;  O.  Fr.  saj^ge  ;  Sp.  serja,  sarja  ;  It.  sargia 
a  coverlet;  Sp.  xerga,jerga,  coarse  frieze,  and  jarjon;  D.  sergie'). 

T 


274  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

A  woollen  twilled  stuff.  Silk  serge  is  a  twilled  silk  fabric,  used 
mostly  by  tailors  for  lining  men's  coats.  Skinner  derives  the 
word  from  G.  serge,  teges,  tegmen ;  in  D.  sargie,  a  coverlet ; 
others  from  sarica,  a  tunic  {Scirica  misticia  cum  manicas  cartas 
valenfe  siliquas  aureas  duas.  Sarica  prasina  ornata,  valente  soliclo 
uno);  "and,"  says  Menage,  "as  tunics  are  made  ordinarily  of 
serge,  the  name  may  have  been  taken  for  the  stuff  itself;  that 
the  Italians  derive  it  from  sargia,  milled  counterpane  (^loclier); 
others  from  serica."  In  the  supplement  he  adds,  "  Although 
this  stuff  (sarge)  is  made  of  wool,  it  may  still  derive  its  name 
from  sericum,  silk,  from  being  a  twine,  a  la  fa^on  des  ^toffes 
de  sole.  Eckchardus  le  jeune,  Moine  de  S.  Gal,  De  Casibns 
Monasterii  S.  Galli,  ch.  3.  Missus  est  Magontiam  utique 
pro  panis  laneis  emendis,  quos  sericales  aitt  punicas  vacant.^'' 
Woollen  serges  are  called  in  France  "  cadis  de  Montauban," 
from  Montauban,  where  they  are  made.     See  also  Silk. 

SERIANA  (more  commonly  Serjania).  An  entirely  tropical 
South  American  and  West  Indian  genus  of  the  natural  family 
Sapindacece ;  named  by  Schumacher  after  Serjeant,  a  French 
monk  and  botanist. 

SERICEOUS.  Pertaining  to  silk;  consisting  of  silk;  silky; 
from  L.  sericeus,  from  sericum,  silk,  muslin ;  from  sericus,  of  or 

belonging  to  the  Seres,  or  their  country.     See  Silk. In 

botany,  covered  with  very  soft  hairs  pressed  close  to  the  sur- 
face ;  as  a  sericeous  leaf. 

SERIPHIUM.  Flax-Aveed;  from  Seriphus,  name  of  the 
island  upon  which  it  grew. — Forsyth. 

SESLERIA.  A  grass  which  in  its  manner  of  flowering 
resembles  the  genus  Aii'a,  but  having  the  appearance  of 
AntJwscanthum ;  a  native  of  Europe  in  mountainous  and 
boggy  pastures ;  named  by  Scopoli  in  honour  of  Dr.  Leonard 
Seslei",  a  botanist,  who  formed  the  genus  in  the  island  of  St. 
Helen. 

SEVERITE.  A  silicious  hydrate  of  alumina,  colour  white; 
found  near  St.  Sever,  in  France. 

SfiVRES.  A  porcelain  made  of  a  clay  consisting  of  felspar 
in  its  different  states  of  decomposition,  with  small  quantities  of 


VEllBA    NOMINALIA.  275 

silica  and  chalk  ;  so  called  from  Sevres,  a  town  of  France,  cap. 
cant.  Seine-et-Oise,  where  it  is  manufactured. 

SEYD  or  ZEID.  The  name  of  a  slave  of  Mohammed,  who 
was  one  of  the  first  to  acknowledge  the  divine  mission  of  his 
master,  was  adopted  by  him,  and  received  Zeinab,  a  cousin  of 
Mohammed,  as  his  wife.  The  prophet,  however,  having  fallen 
in  love  with  her  himself,  Seyd  was  ready  to  resign  her.  Vol- 
taire, in  his  Maliomet,  makes  Seyd  an  innocent  but  blindly  sub- 
missive youth,  who  at  the  prophet's  order,  kills  a  person,  who 
turns  out  to  be  his  own  father.  Seyd  is,  therefore,  sometimes 
used  to  denote  a  man  blindly  devoted  to  the  will  of  another. 
Thus  St.  Just  is  called  by  Mr.  Nodier  the  Seyd  of  Robespierre; 
and  the  Duke  of  Rovigo  says  in  his  Memoirs  that  he  has  often 
been  taken  for  the  Seyd  of  Napoleon. 

SHADDOCK.  A  large  species  of  orange,  Citrus  decumana ; 
named  after  Capt.  Shaddock,  who  first  carried  this  fruit  from 
the  East  to  the  West  Indies. 

SIIADRACH.  A  mass  of  iron,  in  which  the  smelting  has 
failed  of  its  intended  effect;  probably  called  from  Shadrach, 
one  of  the  three  men  who  were  preserved  in  the  fiery  furnace. 

SHAKO,  CHAKO,  or  SCHAKO.  A  military  cap.  Some 
derive  the  word  from  O.  Sp.  zdco  (now  jdco'),  a  short  jacket, 
formerly  used  by  soldiers  ;  corrui^ted  from  Jacobus,  i.e.  James. 
Cf.  Jacket. 

SHALLOON  (ras  de  Chalons,  Sp.  chalon,  chalun).  A 
slight  woollen  stuff,  the  great  staple  of  Halifax,  where  about 
10,000  pieces  are  annually  made  for  shipment  to  Turkey  and 
the  Levant.  The  name  is  said  to  be  derived  from  Chalons,  in 
France,  where  it  was  first  made.  Bailey  writes  the  word 
shallons  and  shaloon;  and  Chaucer  uses  shalons  for  blankets. 

SHALLOT  (found  shalot,  shalote,  eschalot  ;  Fr. 
echalote  for  eschalote.  It.  scaglogno,  Sp.  escahiiia).  A 
plant,  the  Allium  Ascalonium,  a  species  of  small  onion,  the 
mildest  cultivated  ;  named  from  Ascalon  or  Askelon,  a  city  in 
the  land  of  the  Philistines,  between  Azoth  and  Gaza,  on  the 
Mediterranean  coast,  where  it  grows  wild,  as  it  does  also  in 
many  parts  of  Syria.     It  was  from  Ascalon  that  the  Romans 

T  2 


276  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

imported  the  Allium  Ascalonium.  Calmet  says,  "  The  ancients 
praise  the  shalot,  which  takes  its  name  from  Askelon."  See 
also  Athen,  lib.  ii.  cop.  28  ;  Plin.  lib.  xix.  cap,  6  ;  Strabo, 
lib.  xvi.  ;  Stephens,  and  Menage.  Ascalonium,  ascalonio, 
ascalone,  ascalote,  aschalote,  eschalot,  Shallot. 

SHANGHAI.     A  tea  from  Shanghai,  in  China. A  sort 

of  domestic  fowl. 

SHAWL.  A  cloth  of  wool,  cotton,  silk,  or  hair,  used  by- 
females  as  a  loose  covering  for  the  neck  and  shoulders.  This 
article  of  dress  is  said  to  have  been  originally  manufactured 
in  the  heart  of  India,  from  the  soft  woolly  inner  hair  of  a 
variety  of  the  common  goat  reared  in  Thibet,  The  best 
shawls  now  come  from  Cashmere,  but  they  are  also  manufac- 
tured in  Europe.  According  to  some,  it  had  its  name  from 
Shawl,  a  town  and  valley  in  Beloochistan,  the  centre  of 
the  traffic  between  Shikarpoor,  Kandahar,  and  Kelat,  The 
town  is  not  now  celebrated  for  its  shawls,  but  carpets  and 
blankets  are  made  there  ia  considei'able  quantities.  More- 
over, the  Persian  sJidl  means  not  only  a  shawl  of  goat's  hair, 
but  also  a  coarse  mantle  of  wool  and  goat's  hair  worn  by 
dervishes,  a  tunic  without  sleeves,  a  small  carpet,  &c. 

SHELTIE.  A  Shetland  or  Zetland  pony,  a  small  but 
strong  horse  in  Scotland  ;  so  called  from  Shetland,  where  it  is 
produced.  Dr.  Edmonston  (Zetland,  ii.  207)  says  the  shelties 
are  very  sagacious,  so  much  so,  that,  in  crossing  the  mossy  hills 
they  of  themselves  select  the  best  "road,"  though  there  be  not 
"  the  vestige  of  a  footprint."     See  also  Ed.  Rev.  xvi.  152. 

SHEMITIC  or  SEMITIC.  An  absurd  appellation  given 
to  the  languages  called  Chaldee,  Syriac,  Arabic,  Hebrew, 
Samaritan,  Ethiopic,  and  Old  Phoenician  ;  from  Shem,  son  of 
Noah, 

SHEPARDITE.  A  mineral,  colour  brownish-black,  found 
in  small  grains  in  the  Bishopville  meteorite  ;  named  after 
Professor  Shepard.  It  was  formerly  called  schreibserite ; 
doubtless  derived  from  Schreibser. 

SHERARDIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Ruliacece ; 
whose  only  species  is  the  *S'.  at^vensis,  found  on  sandy  soils  in 
Great   Britain,  continental  Europe,  and  the    Crimea  ;  named 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  277 

by  Dillenius  after  his  patron,  William  Sherard,  LL.D.,  consul 
at  Smyrna. 

SHERRY  (formerly  Sherris).  A  strong  wine  of  a  deep 
amber  colour,  and  having  an  aromatic  odour  ;  so  called  from 

Xerez,  now  Jerez,  near  Cadiz,  where  it  is  made. A  similar 

wine  made  at  Jerez  for  the  English  market. A  wine  made 

in  England  of  Je  ne  sats  quoi. 

SHILLALY,  SHILLALAH,  SHILLELY,  or  SHILLE- 
LAH.  An  oaken  sapling  or  cudgel  ;  so  named  from  a  wood, 
famous  for  its  oaks,  near  the  "  Meeting  of  the  Walers,"  in  the 
county  of  Wicklow,  Ireland,  "  Four  miles  from  Tiuehely  is 
Coolatin  Park,  residence  of  Earl  Fitzwilliam,  well-cultivated 
fields  and  comfortable  homesteads  abounding  around  the 
mansion.  On  this  estate  is  the  famed  wood,  or  rather  what 
remains  of  it,  of  Shillelah,  which  gives  its  name  to  the  solid 
oak  sapling  so  renowned  in  Milesian  song  and  s(ory.  This 
wood,  which  covered  the  southern  portion  of  the  county,  was 
cut  down  in  1634  by  Lord  Lieutenant  Strafford,  who  wrested 
it  from  the  original  proprietors,  the  O'Byrnes,  because  they 
were  unable  to  produce  any  Avritten  titles  to  their  lauds. 
Some  of  the  oak  was  used  to  roof  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  and 
Westminster  Hall,  it  is  supposed,  was  roofed  from  the  same 
source.     Tourist's  Handb.  for  Ireland. 

SHIRAZ.  A  celebrated  tobacco,  brought  through  Bushire, 
from   Shiraz,     a    city    of   Persia,     capital  prov.     Ears,     and 

formerly   capital  of   Persia  itself. A   wine  whose  flavour 

is  by  no  means  attractive  to  the  European  palate,  notwitli- 
standing  the  praises  of  the  poet  Hafiz. 

SHRAPNEL  SHELL.  In  (/tmner?/,  a  name  given  to  shells 
filled  with  musket-balls,  which  when  the  shells  explode  are 
projected  in  all  directions ;  so  called  from  the  name  of  the  in- 
ventor. "  Shortly  after  the  siege  of  Gibraltar  Lieut. -Gen. 
Henry  Shrapnel  invented  the  spherical  case-shot,  which  con- 
sists of  a  hollow  globe  of  iron,  filled  with  musket-balls  and 
gunpowder.  When  the  shell  explodes  these  balls  are  projected 
about  150  yards,  and  do  as  much  injury  as  the  same  number 
of  muskets,  in  addition  to  the  effects  produced  by  the  splinters 
of  the  exploded  shell.     On  the  adoption  of  these  shells  by  the 


278  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

artillery,  Greneral  Shrapnel  was  granted  a  pension  of  £1200 
per  annum,  in  addition  to  his  regular  pay.  He  died  in  1842  " 
{T.  Wright,  3[.A.) 

SIBBALDIA.     A  genus  of  plants,  class  Pe?i^fl?if?r2a;  named 
after  Robert  Sibbald,  IM.D.,  author  of  Scotia  Illustrata. 

SIBERITE.     A  mineral,  a  sort  of  red  tourmaline,  found  in 
Siberia. 

SIBYLLINE.  Pertaining  to  the  Sibyls  ;  uttered,  written, 
or  composed  by  Sibyls;  like  the  productions  of  the  Sibyls,  who, 
in  pagan  antiquity,  were  certain  Avomen  said  to  be  endowed 
with  a  prophetic  spirit,  and  who  resided  in  various  parts  of 
Persia,  Greece,  and  Italy.  They  are  pretended  to  have 
Avritten  certain  prophecies  on  leaves  in  verse,  which  are  called 
Sibylline  verses,  or  Sibijlline  oracles.  Hence  the  term  is  applied 
to  a  gipsy  or  fortune-teller.  Hence  also  Sibylline  books,  or 
documents  of  prophecies  in  verse,  supposed  to  contain  the  fate 
of  the  Roman  empire,  and  said  to  have  been  purchased  by 
Tarquin  the  Proud  from  a  Sibyl.  Sibylline  oracles  are  univer- 
sally allowed  to  be  spurious,  but  it  is  evident  that  the  Romans 
in  particular  revered  these  productions  as  sacred,  and  on  all 
important  occasions  consulted  them.  Ten,  or,  as  Gellius  and 
some  others  affirm,  fifteen  eminent  Romans  were  appointed  to 
superintend  and  examine  them.  The  Sibylline  books  were 
preserved  till  the  times  of  the  civil  wars  between  Sylla  and 
Marius.     Cf.  Aulus  Gellius,  Attic  Nights. 

SICILIANO.  In  music,  a  composition  in  measures  of  6-4 
or  6-8,  to  be  performed  in  a  slow  and  graceful  manner ;  so 
called  from  Sicily,  where  it  originated.  "  Sicilienne,  sort  d'air 
a  danser  dans  la  mesure  a  six-quatre  ou  six-huit,  d'un  move- 
ment beaucoup  plus  lent,  mais  encore  plus  marque  que  celui  de 
la  gique." — Rousseau,  Diet.  Mus. 

SICILIAN  VESPERS.  The  era  of  the  general  massacre 
of  the  French  in  Sicily,  in  1282,  on  the  evening  of  Easter 
Tuesday,  at  the  toll  of  the  bell  for  vespers. 

SIEBERA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  one  species,  S.  jmngens, 
native  of  the  Levant ;  so  called  after  Henry  Sieber,  a  cele- 
brated botanical  collector. 

SIENNA.      Clay  coloured  by   the  peroxide   of   iron  and 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  279 

iniinganese,  known  as  raw  and  burnt  sienna,  according  to  the 
treatment  it  has  received  (a  good  artists'  colour);  from  Siena, 
in  Italy. 

SILESIA.     A  sort  of  linen  cloth ;   so  called  from  Silesia, 
in  Russia,  where  first  made. 

SILHOUETTE  (Fn)  A  profile;  a  representation  of  the 
outlines  of  an  object  filled  in  with  a  black  colour.  Etienne  de 
Silhouette  (who  was  born  at  Limoges  in  1709,  was  successively 
counsellor  to  the  parliament  of  Metz  and  master  of  requests, 
and  who  held  other  important  appointments,  and  was  author 
of  several  works)  greatly  occupied  the  public  attention  during 
his  short  administration  by  recommending  rigid  economy. 
Immediately  after  his  fall  everything  that  was  brought  out  at 
the  time  was  called  a  la  Silhouette  :  hence  the  term  Silhouette, 
which  was  in  vogue  at  this  time,  and  was  aj)plied  in  derision  to 
the  cheap  picture  above  described. 

SILK  (A.  S.  seolc,  Sw.  and  Dan.  silke,  Russ.  schilJc).     The 
fine  soft  thread  produced  by  various  species  of  caterpillars, 
particularly  by  the  larve  of  the  insect  called  silktvorm  or  Bom- 
hyx  mori.     Webster  gives  the  Arab,  and  Pers.  t    <^l...  silk,  pro- 
perly any  thread,  from  Arab,  salaka,  to  send  or  thrust  in ; 
to  insert,  to  pass  or  go.     Others  derive  the  word  from   Gr. 
cnj^,  a  silkworm.     Rees  says,  "  The  ancients  were  but  little 
acquainted  with  the  use  and  manufacture  of  silk  ;  they  took  it 
for  the  work  of  a  sort  of  spider  or  beetle,  who  spun  it  out  of 
its  entrails,  and  wound  it  with  its  feet  about  the  little  branches 
of  trees.     This  insect  they  called  ser,  from  Seres  (Sij^se),  a 
people  of  Scythia,  whom  we  now  call  the  Chinese,  who,  as 
they  thought,  bred  it;  whence  the  silk  itself  was  called  sericum 
{(rrjpiKOv);  but  this  ser  of  theirs  has  very  little   afiinity  with 
our  silkworm  {Bomhyx),  the  former  living  five  years,  the  latter 
dying  annually."     Virgil  evidently  alludes  to  silk  in  Georg.  ii. 
121,  "  Vellei'aque  ut  foliis  depectant  tenuia  seres?"     Braunius 
is  of  opinion  that  there  is  no  mention  of  silk  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, and  that  it  was  unknown  to  the  Hebrews  in  ancient 
times  (De  Vestitu  Heb.  Sacerdotum,  lib.  1,  cap.  viii.  sec.  8). 
The  only  text  supposed  to  denote  that  material,  and  therefore 
rendered  silk  (''ti^D  meshi,  sericum)  in  our  common  version,  is  to 


280  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

be  found  in  Ezek.  xvi.  10;  but  which,  it  is  thought,   refers 
more  probably  to  some  valuable  article  of  female  attire.     Aris- 
totle (Hist.  Anim.  v.  c.   19)  is  the  first  ancient  author  who 
affords  any  evidence  respecting  the  use  of  silk.     The  art  of 
weaving  silk  was  first  practised  in  China  2600  years  before 
our  era  {vide  Du  Halde's   Hist.   China,  vol.  ii.  355-6,  8vo  ed, 
Lond.  1736),  to  which  country  the  labours  of  the  silkworm 
were  wholly  confined  until  the  time  of  the  Emperor  Justinian. 
Long  before  the  latter  period,  however,  the  Chinese  had  largely 
exported    the    raw    material    to    Persia,  Tyre,  Berytus,  &c., 
where  it  was  wrought  into  various  forms.     The  name  seems 
to  be  derived  from  the   country  where   it  was  doubtless  first 
produced,   viz.    Serica.       Serica,  in  ancient   geography,  was 
an  eastern  country,  whose  frontier  is  very  vaguely  indicated 
by  ancient  writers,  but  which  has  been  more  precisely  ascer- 
tained by  Ptolemy.     According  to  the  latter,  it  is  bounded  on 
the  west  by  Scythia,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Imaus ;  on  the 
south  by  unknown  territories,  and  by  a  part  of  India  beyond 
the  Ganges  and  the  Sines.     M.  d'Anville  refutes  the  opinion 
of  those  who   assert  that   the    Serica   described  by  Ptolemy 
corresponded  to  the  northern   part  of  China,  and  he  adopts 
that  of  M.  de  Guignes  (Hist,  of  the  Huns),  that  it  belonged 
to  the  conquests  of  the  Chinese  towards  the  west;  and  he  says 
that,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  angular  territory  at  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  province  of  Chen-si,  towards  the  north-west, 
China  formed   no  part   of    Serica.     According   to  some,   the 
metropolis  of  Serica  (the   Sera  of  Ptolemy)   is   now  known 
under  the  name  of  Can-cheou,  the  first  considerable  town  that 
occurs  at  the  entrance  of  the  Chinese  province  of  Chen-si, 
which  belongs  to  a  country  known  to  orien-tals  under  the  name 
of  Tangut,  which,  says  Rees,  may  therefore  be  the  country 
anciently  inhabited    by    the    Seres,   of  which   Sera  was  the 
capital.     The  word  would  come  thus  :  sericum,  seric,  by  muta- 
tion of  r  into  I,  selic,  selik.  Silk.     "  Such,  indeed,  was  the  im- 
portance of  silk"  says  Tomlinson,  "  that  the  very  people  and 
their  country  are  named  Seres  and  Serica  in  ancient  writings, 
from  the  Chinese  word  se,  which  signifies  silk.     Sze  keen  is 
the  proper  orthography,  but  if  the  name  of  the  country  is  of 


VERBA    NOMINAhlA.  281 

Chinese  origiu  it  might  silso  be  from  Sze-e,  an  appellation 
applied  to  foreigners  on  all  sides  of  China."  Cf.  Yates 
Textrinum  Antiquorum,  8°  ed.  Lond.  1843  ;  "Wilkinson, 
Ancient  Egyptians,  iii.  125,  8^  Lond.  1847,  quoting  Thomp- 
son ;  Smith,  Diet,  of  Gr.  and  Rom.  Ant.  v.  "  Sericum,"  860 ; 
and  N.  &  Q.  2nd  S.  vii.  456,  and  500-1. 

SILKSTONE.  A  coal  from  Silkstone,  near  Barnsley? 
Yorkshire. 

SILLERY.  One  of  the  best  sorts  of  champagne,  a  non- 
sparkling  wine.  Sillery,  near  Rheims,  is  not  the  locality  which 
produces  this  celebrated  champagne.  It  derives  its  name  from 
Sillery  by  a  secondary  process.  Under  its  name  is  compre- 
hended the  produce  of  all  the  vineyards  of  Verzenay,  Mailly, 
Raument,  &c.,  situated  at  the  north-east  termination  of  the 
chain  of  hills  which  separate  the  Maine  from  the  Verle,  and 
formerly  belonging  to  the  Marquis  de  Sillery,  husband  of 
Madame  de  Genlis.  Having  been  originally  brought  into 
vogue  by  the  greater  care  bestowed  upon  its  manufacture  by 
the  Marechale  d'Estrees,  it  was  long  known  by  the  name  of 
Vin  (III  Marechale. 

SILLIMANITE.  A  mineral,  colour  dark  grey  and  hair- 
brown,  composed  of  silica  and  alumina,  with  some  oxide  of 
iron,  found  at  Say  brook,  in  Connecticut ;  named  in  honour  of 
Prof.  Silliman,  of  Yale  College. 

SILURIA.  A  term  applied  to  the  fossiliferous  strata  below 
the  old  red  sandstone;  so  named  from  the  portion  of  England 
and  Wales  in  which  the  successive  formations  are  clearly  dis- 
played, and  wherein  an  ancient  British  people  (the  Silures), 
under  their  king  Caradoc  (Cai'actacus)  opposed  a  long  and 
valorous  resistance  to  the  Romans. 

SIM.  One  of  a  methodistical  turn  in  religion ;  a  low 
churchman  ;  originally  a  follower  of  the  late  Rev.  Chas. 
Simeon. — Cambridge ;  J.  C.  Hotten. 

SIMON  or  SIMPLE  SIMON.  A  credulous  gullible  per- 
son ;  so  called  from  a  character  in  a  song. — J.  C.  Hotten. 

SIMON  PURE,  "  the  real  Simon  Pure,"  the  genuine  article. 
Those  who  have  witnessed  Mr.  C.  Matthews's  performance  in 
Mrs.  Centlivre's  admirable  comedy  of  J.  Bold  Stroke  for  a  Wife, 


282  VERBA   NOMINALTA. 

and  the  laughable  coolness  with  which  he,  the  false  Simon  Pure, 
assuming  the  Quaker  dress  and  character  of  the  real  one, 
elbowed  that  worthy  out  of  his  expected  entertainment,  will 
at  once  perceive  the  origin  of  this  phrase.  See  act  v.  sc.  1, 
and  Hotten's  Slang  Diet.,  especially  the  preface,  p.  36. 

SIMONIAC.  One  who  buys  or  sells  preferment  in  the 
church. — Ayliffe.     See  Simony. 

SIMONIOUS.  Partaking  of  simony  ;  given  to  simony,  q.v. 
— Milton. 

SIMONY.  The  buying  or  selling  ecclesiastical  prefer- 
ment, or  the  corrupt  presentation  of  any  one  to  an  ecclesiastical 
benefice  for  money  on  rcAvard.  By  stat.  31  Eliz.  c.  vi.  severe 
penalties  were  enacted  against  this  crime.  So  named  from 
Simon  Magus,  who  wished  to  purchase  the  power  of  conferring 
the  Holy  Spirit.     Acts  viii. 

SIMPLE   SIMON,     See  Simon. 

SINGLO  (Songlo-tcha).  A  species  of  green  tea  from  China; 
so  called  from  the  Mountain  Soug-lo,  prov.  Kiangnan,  where 
it  is  cultivated. 

SIREN  (L.  siren,  a  mermaid,  music,  melody ;  Fr.  sirene ;  It. 
sirena).  In  modern  use,  an  enticing  woman,  a  female  rendered 
dangerous  by  her  enticements. 

"  Sing,  siren,  to  thyself,  and  I  will  dote." — Shak. 

The  Sirenes  were  the  three  daughters  of  the  River  Achelous 
and  one  of  the  Muses,  half  human,  half  bird,  who  by  their 
sweet  singing  tempted  sailors  on  shore  to  their  destruction. 
They  derived  their  name  from  Heb.  nw  shur,  to  sing. Per- 
taining to  a  siren,  or  to  the  dangerous  enticements  of  music ; 

bewitching ;  fascinating ;   as,  a  siren  song. A  batrachian 

reptile  of  Carolina,  constituting  a  peculiar  genus,  destitute  of 
posterior  extremities  and  pelvis. 

SISAL  HEMP.  The  prepared  fibre  of  the  American  aloe, 
used  for  cordage  ;  named  from  Sisal,  a  port  in  Yucatan,  whence 
it  is  doubtless  brought. 

SIVATHERIUM.  An  extinct  animal,  whose  skull  and 
other  bones  were  recently  discovered  in  India.  It  had  four 
horns  and  a  proboscis,  was  larger   than  the  rhiuosceros,  and 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  283 

must  have  resembled  an  immense  antelope  {Mantell)  ;  so  called 
from  Siva,  an  Indian  deity;  Gr.  ^rj^iov,  a  wild  animal. 

SLAVE  (Dim.  slave,  sclave ;  viw.slaf;  D.slaaf;  Gr.  sclave  ; 
Fr.  esdave  ;  Arm.  sclaff ;  It.  schiavo;  Sp.  esclavo;  Port,  escravo; 
Ir.  schlahhadh  ;  Gael,  sglahli).  One  wholly  subject  to  the  will 
of  another ;  one  who  has  no  freedom  of  action,  but  whose  per- 
son and  services  are  wholly  under  the  control  of  another ;  one 
who  surrenders  himself  to  any  power  whatever ;  as,  a  slave  to 
passion,  lust,  or  ambition;  a  mean  person;  one  in  the  lowest 
state  of  life;  a  drudge;  one  who  labours  like  a  slave:  hence 
to  slave,  to  drudge,  to  toil,  to  labour  as  a  slave ;  so  called  from 
the  Slavi,  or  Slavonians,  a  people  who  were  made  slaves  by  the 
Venetians.  The  name  of  this  people,  however,  is  said  to  be 
derived  from  the  Slavonic  word  slava,  praise,  glory.  "  The 
Avord  acquii'ed  its  present  signification  in  consequence  of  the 
great  number  of  prisoners  made  by  the  Germans  among  the 
Slavonic  nations,  and  whom  they  reduced  into  servitude." 
Gibbon  says,  "  The  national  appellation  of  the  Slaves  has  been 
degraded  by  chance  or  malice  from  the  signification  of  glory  to 
that  of  servitude.  This  conversion  of  a  national  into  an  appel- 
lative name  appears  to  have  arisen  in  the  eighth  century  in 
oriental  France,  where  the  princes  and  bishops  were  rich  in 
Sclavonian  captives.  From  thence  the  word  was  extended  to 
general  use,  to  the  modern  languages,  and  even  to  the  style  of 
the  last  Byzantines.  Jordan  subscribes  to  the  well-known 
and  probable  derivation  from  slava,  a  word  of  familiar  use  in 
the  diiferent  dialects  and  parts  of  speech,  and  which  forms  the 
termination  of  the  most  illustrious  names."  See  Gibbon,  Decline 
and  Fall,  vol  x,  197-8,  ed,  1797,  text  and  note;  De  Orig, 
Sclav,  part  i.  40,  part  iv.  101-2;  Journal  des  Debats,  19 
April,  1839,  in  a  note  by  De  Xivry. 

SLOANITE.  A  mineral,  a  hydrous  silicate,  from  the 
gabbro  rosso  of  Tuscany ;  doubtless  named  after  Sloane. 

SLONEA.  A  genus  of  liliaceous  plants,  trees,  natives  of 
South  America  ;  named  in  honour  of  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  founder 
of  Chelsea  botanical  garden. 

SMITHIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants ;  named  after 
the  late  Sir  James  Smith,  the  celebrated  botanical  Avriter. 


284  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

SMYRNIUM  (^[Mv^viov  of  Diosc.)  A  genus  of  plants,  now 
of  tlie  nat.  or.  Umhelliferce,  of  seven  species,  natives  of  Africa 
and  North  America ;  so  named,  according  to  some,  from  the 
city  of  Smyrna.  Others  say  from  (r[/.upva,  tlie  same  with 
ay^^a,  because  the  root  yields  a  juice  very  similar  to  myrrh. 

SNOOKS.  An  imaginary  personage  often  brought  forward 
as  an  answer  to  an  idle  question,  or  as  the  perpetrator  of  a 
senseless  joke  {J.  C.  Hotten);  corrupted  from  Sevenoaks,  in 
Kent,  but  why  is  doubtful.     Snooks  is  an  existing  surname. 

SNOWDON  PUDDING.  A  pudding  made  of  fine  raisins, 
butter,  minced  beef,  kidney  suet,  bread  crumbs,  salt,  rice  flour, 
lemon  marmalade,  pale  brown  sugar,  whisked  eggs,  and  grated 
rinds  of  lemons ;  so  named  from  being  constantly  served  to 
travellers  at  the  hotel  at  the  foot  of  Snowdon,  in  North  Wales. 

SOBIESKI'S  SHIELD  {Scutum  Sohieski).  A  modern 
northern  constellation,  consisting  of  eight  stars  ;  doubtless 
named  after  Sobieski,  the  patriot  King  of  Poland,  surnamed 
the  Great. 

SOCINIANISM.  The  tenets  or  doctrines  of  Socinus,  a 
native  of  Sienna,  in  Tuscany,  founder  of  the  sect  of  Socmians, 
in  the  sixteenth  century.  He  held  Clirist  to  have  been  a  mere 
man  inspired,  denied  His  divinity  and  atonement,  the  doctrine 
of  original  depravity,  and  kindred  doctrines. 

SOCRATIC,  SOCRATICAL.  Pertaining  to  Socrates,  or 
to  his  language  or  manner  of  treating  or  jihilosophizing.  The 
Socratic  method  of  reasoning  and  instruction  was  by  a  series 
of  questions  leading  to  the  desired  result. 

SOCRATISM.     The  doctrines  or  philosophy  of  Socrates. 

SODOMY.  A  crime  against  nature ;  so  called  because 
committed  by  the  inhabitants  of  Sodom,  one  of  the  five  cities  in 
the  land    of    Canaan   which   were  utterly  destroyed  by  fire. 

SOLANDRA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Solanacece,  native 
of  Jamaica;  named  by  LinnjEUS  the  younger  in  honour  of 
Daniel  Charles  Solander,  M.D,,  D.C.L.,  a  Swedish  naturalist, 
disciple  of  Linnceus,  under-librarian  of  the  British  Museum, 
companion  of  Sir  Joseph  Banks  in  his  voyage  round  the  world 
with  Captain  Cook. 

SOLECISM.     Impropriety  in  language,  or  a  gross  deviation 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  285 

from  the  rules  of  syntax ;  incongruity  of  words ;  want  of 
correspondence  or  consistency.  "  Any  unfitness,  absurdity,  or 
impropriety  "  {B.  Jonson). 

"  A  barbarism  may  be  in  one  word ;  a  solecism  must  be  of  moi'c." — 
Johnson.     From  Cicero. 

"  Caesar,  by  dismissing  his  guards,  and  retaining  his  power,  committed 
a  dangerous  solecism  in  politics."—  Middleton. 

From  Gr.  <rokoiKi(r[/.og,  impropriety  of  language,  barbarism ; 
said  to  be  derived  from  the  Soli,  a  people  of  Attica,  who  being 
transplanted  to  Cicilia,  lost  the  purity  of  their  language. 
Hence  the  Gr.  croXoiKia,,  impropriety  of  language ;  a-oXoiKti^cu, 
to  speak  like  the  Soli,  to  speak  ungrammatically  or  incorrectly; 
^o\oiKog,  an  inhabitant  of  Soli,  of  Athenian  origin,  who  spoke 
in  a  corrupt  dialect.  "  Solecism  {soloecismus,  (ToXofKicru.OQ),  a 
grammatical  term  which  is  used  by  the  later  Greek  and  Roman 
writers,  and  by  modern  grammarians  also,  though  in  a  some- 
what different  sense.  It  is  defined  by  Sinnius  Capito  (Gell.  v. 
207)  as  an  unequal  and  improper  arrangement  of  the  parts  of 
speech;  that  is,  as  a  violation  of  the  rules  of  syntax.  Quinc- 
tilian  (i.  s.  28,  &c.)  specifies  four  kinds  of  solecisms  :  the  first 
consists  in  the  additioi'i  of  a  superfluous  word ;  the  second,  in 
leaving  out  one  that  is  necessary  ;  the  third,  in  perverting  the 
order  of  the  words  of  a  sentence  ;  and  the  fourth,  in  using  an 
improper  form  of  a  word.  The  ancients  also  used  the  word  in 
a  wider  sense,  understanding  by  it  any  kind  of  fault,  error,  or 
mistake,  whether  made  in  speaking,  writing,  or  acting.  Modern 
grammarians  designate  by  solecism  any  word  or  expression 
which  does  not  agree  with  the  established  usage  of  writing  or 
speaking.  But,  as  customs  change,  that  which  at  one  time  is 
considered  a  solecism  may  at  another  be  regarded  as  correct 
language.  A  solecism,  therefore,  differs  from  a  barbarism,  in- 
asmuch as  the  latter  consists  in  the  use  of  a  word  or  expression 
which  is  altogether  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  language,  and 
can,  properly  speaking,  never  become  established  as  correct 
language.  The  term  solecism  was  supposed  by  ancient  gram- 
marians to  be  derived  from  Soli,  a  town  of  Cilicia,  where  the 
language  of  the  original  Greek  settlers,  who  were  few  in  num- 


286  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

bei-,  became  corrupt  through  the  influence  of  the  people  by 
whom  they  were  surrounded  "  (P.  Cyc.) 

SOLFATARA.  A  volcanic  vent  from  which  sulphur,  sul- 
phureous, watery,  and  acid  vapours  and  gases  are  emitted ;  so 
named  from  Solfaterra,  the  celebrated  mountain  of  Naples, 
called  by  the  ancients  Phlegraei  Caiftpi. 

SOLFERINA  or  SOLFERINO.  The  new  pink ;  a  pink 
of  a  dark  bright  colour  ;  named  from  Solferino,  in  Italy,  scene 
of  the  battle  between  the  French  and  Italians  and  the  Austrians 
in  1859. 

SOLOMON'S  LEAF.     A  plant  so  called. 

SOLOMON'S  SEAL  (Sigillum  Salomonis).  Popular  name 
of  several  plants  belonging  to  the  genera  Polygonatum,  Smila- 
cina,  Streptopus,  &c.,  the  fresh  rhizome  of  which  is  used  as  an 
outward  application  for  bruises.  Dried  and  powdered,  it  is 
said  to  be  antidysentric ;  and  is  so  called  from  having  upon  its 
root  the  resemblance  of  an  impression  made  by  a  seal. 

SOMERVILLITE.  A  Vesuvian  mineral  related  to  geh- 
lenite ;  doubtless  named  after  its  discover  Somerville,  or  in 
honour  of  one  of  that  name. 

SOMMITE.  Rhomboidal  felspar,  occurring  in  granular 
limestone  at  Monte  Somma,  and  in  the  lava  of  Capo  di  Bove, 
near  Rome.  It  is  also  called  nepheline  (from  v£<J)£At],  a  cloud), 
because  in  nitric  acid  its  transparent  fragments  become  cloudy. 

SORBONIST.  A  doctor  of  the  Sorbonne,  a  theological 
college  in  the  University  of  Paris,  founded  by  Robert  de  Sor- 
bonne, A.D.  1250.  Sorhonne  is  properly  the  name  of  the  build- 
ing, from  which  the  theological  faculty  are  called  the  doctors 
of  the  Sorhonne. — Murdock. 

SORDAWALITE.  A  mineral,  colour  greyish  or  bluish- 
black,  in  appearance  resembling  pit-coal ;  found  near  Sorda- 
wala  (Sordawald,  Wehster'),  in  Wibourg,  Finland. 

SOUBISE.  A  particular  way  of  serving  up  cutlets  {cvte- 
lettes  a  la  Soiibise) ;  so  named  after  the  Prince  de  Soubise, 
marshal  of  France. 

SOUTHDOWNS.  Name  given  to  a  celebrated  variety  of 
sheep  bred  on  the  South  Downs,  in  Sussex. 

SPA.     A  general  name  for  a  spring  of  mineral  water ;  so 


VEKBA    NOMINALIA.  287 

called  from  Spa,  a  town  of  Belgium,  famous  for  its  mineral 
springs.  Spa  water  is  the  lightest  and  most  subtle  of  all  the 
mineral  Avaters,  and  is  said  to  give  great  relief  in  all  disorders 
of  the  kidneys,  ureters,  and  bladders,  whether  occasioned  by- 
stone,  gravel,  or  ulcerations. 

SPANIEL  (Fr.  epagnenl,  L.  hispaniolus).  A  dog  used  in 
sports  of  the  field,  remarkable  for  his  sagacity  and  obedience. 
Some  derive  the  word  from  Hispaniola,  now  Ilayti ;  but  it 
is  rather  from  Spain,  whence  the  breed  {canis  Ilispanicus) 
were  first  brought.  Indeed,  the  Spaniards  themselves  were 
anciently  called  Sj^aniels  by  the  English.  See  also  P.  Cyc; 
Duchat's  Notes  on  Rabelais ;   Maturin  Corderius ;    Pennant ; 

and  especially  Menage. To  follow  like  a  spaniel,  to  fawn, 

to  cringe,  to  be  obsequious  ;  a  mean,  cringing,  fawning  person. 

SPANISH  BROOM.  A  shrub  of  the  genus  Spartium, 
thickly  set  with  verdant  flexible  rush-like  twigs  ;  from  Spain. 

SPANISH  BROWN.  A  species  of  earth  used  in  paints, 
whose  colour  depends  upon  the  sesqui-oxide  of  iron ;  from 
Spain. 

SPANISH  CHALK  (French  chalk).  A  variety  of  steatite 
or  silicate  of  magnesia  ;  from  Spain. 

SPANISH  FLY  (Cantharides).  The  blister-fly ;  so  called 
because  the  best  are  brought  from  Spain. 

SPANISH  NUT.  A  bulbous  plant,  the  Morcea  Sisyrin- 
chium  of  the  south  of  Europe  (^Miller') ;  originally  from  Spain. 

SPANISH  WHITE  (white  bismuth).  Nitrate  of  bismuth; 
also  called  pearl-white,  magistery  of  bismuth,  &c.;  a  white 
earth  from  Spain,  used  in  paints. 

SPARMANNIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Tillacece ; 
called  after  Sparmann,  the  Swedish  botanist,  who  accompanied 
Captain  Cook  in  his  second  voyage. — Crahh. 

SPARTAN.  Hardy,  undaunted  ;  as.  Spartan  souls  ;  Spa?'- 
fan  bravery;  so  called  from  the  ancient  Spartans,  who  were 
celebrated  for  their  hardiness  and  bravery. 

SPENCEAN  SYSTEM.  A  plan  devised  and  published 
by  one  Thomas  Spence,  a  political  enthusiast,  by  which  the 
human  kind  could  be  provided  with  sustenance  without 
pauperism.     He  died  in  October,  1814. 


288  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

SPENCER.    A  short  over -jacket  worn  by  elderly  gentlemen. 

"  Two  noble  earls,  whom  if  I  quote 
Some  folks  might  call  me  sinner, 
The  one  invented  half  a  coat, 
The  other,  half  a  dinner. 

"  The  plan  was  good,  as  some  will  say, 
And  fitted  to  console  one, 
Because  in  this  poor  starving  day 
Few  can  afford  a  whole  one." 

It  is  said  that  Lord  Spencer  told  his  tailor  to  cut  off  the  tails 
of  his  coat,  and  he  would  get  some  custom  by  it :  hence  the 
name.  "  This  article  of  dress  originated  with  the  late  Lord 
Spencer.  His  lordship,  when  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland, 
being  out  a  hunting,  had,  in  the  act  of  leaping  a  fence,  the 
misfortune  to  have  oue  of  the  skirts  of  his  coat  torn  off,  upon 
which  his  lordship  tore  off  the  other,  observing,  that  to  have 
but  one  left  was  like  a  pig  with  one  ear.  Some  inventive 
genius  took  the  hint,  and,  having  made  some  of  these  half-coats, 
out  of  compliment  to  his  lordship  gave  them  the  significant 
cognomen  of  Spencer  "  {Pullei/n).  "  Spenser,  from  Lord  Spen- 
ser, who  introduced  the  short  round  overcoat,  from  under 
which  the  swallow-tails  protruded.  Hence,  to  '  spenser'  a  man 
was  to  tear  off  his  coat-tails,  so  that  he  would  appear  as  in  a 
jacket.     This  is  a  word  in  the  mouths  of  old  electioneering  or 

fast  men  "  {S.  F.  Cresioell). A  sort  of  jacket  formerly  worn 

by  women. Among  seamen,  a  fore-and-aft  sail  set  abaft  the 

fore  and  main  masts ;  a  trysail.  See  also  Notes  and  Queries, 
2nd  S.  vii.  418,  447. 

SPIELMANNIA.  A  plant  of  only  one  species,  native  of 
the  Cape ;  named  in  honour  of  Jas.  Reinbold  Spielmann,  pro- 
fessor of  medicine  and  botany  at  Strasbourg ;  author  of  Pro- 
dromus  Florae  Argentoratensis,  &c. 

SPIGELIA.  Worm-grass ;  a  genus  of  plants ;  named  in 
honour  of  Adrian  Spigelius,  professor  of  anatomy  and  surgery 
at  Padua:  born  at  Brussels,  1578. 

SPINACH,  SPINAGE  (L.  spinacia.  It.  spinace,  Sp. 
espinaca).  A  plant  of  the  genus  Spinacia,  whose  leaves  are 
boiled  for  greens  and  used  for  other  culinary  purposes.  See 
Spinacia. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  289 

SPINACIA.  Spinach,  spinage.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat. 
or.  Chenojiodiacece.  "  From  Iffttccv la.,  Spain,  whence  it  origi- 
nally came;  or  from  its  spinous  seed"  {Forsyth).  ''From 
spina,  a  thorn,  on  account  of  its  prickly  fruit"  {P.  C]jc.) 

SPINOZISM.  The  form  of  Pantheism  taught  by  Benedict 
Spinosa,  a  Jew  of  Amsterdam,  who  maintained  that  God  is 
not  only  the  maker,  but  also  the  original  matter,  of  the  uni- 
verse, so  that  creation  was  only  a  development  of  Himself  by 
the  Deity. — Murdock. 

SPRUCE.  Nice,  trim,  neat  without  elegance  or  dignity ; 
formerly  applied  to  things  with  a  serious  meaning  ;  now 
applied  to  persons  only  (Webster). 

"  He  is  so  spruce  that  he  never  can  be  genteel." — Tatler. 

"  Now,  my  spruce  companions,  is  all  ready,  and  all  things  neat?" — Tarn, 
of  the  fcjh. 

"  Beware  of  men  who  are  too  sprucely  dress'd, 
And  look,  you  fly  with  speed  a  fop  profess'd." 

Cong?  eve.     Ovid  Imitated. 

"  Salmacis  would  not  be  seen  of  Hermaphroditus  till  she  had  spruced 
up  herself  first." — Burton.    Anat.  Melanc,  p.  335. 

Minshew  derives  spruce,  in  the  sense  of  neat,  trim,  a  purus. 
Skinner  from   Fr.  preux,  valiant.     Junius  says  the  well-fed 
and  strong  are  called  spruze  and  lustie  young  fellows,  from 
A.   S.  spryttan,  to  grow,  to   spread.     Dr.  Johnson  says,  "  I 
know  not  whence  to  deduce  it,  except  from  priice.     In  ancient 
books  we  find  a  furniture  of  pruce,  a  thing  costly  and  elegant, 
and  thence  probably  came  spruce.''^     The  Avord  is  doubtless 
corrupted     from     Prussian    leather,     found    written     Spr-uce 
leather,  and  also  Pruce.     ("  The  leather  was  of  Pruce."     Dry- 
den's  Fables).      A  spruce  person  was  one  dressed  in  the  Prus- 
sian fashion.     Hall,  the  chronicler,  describing  the  appearance 
of  Sir  E.   Haward  and    Sir  Thomas  Parre,   says  they  were 
"  appareyled  after  the  fashion  of  Prussia  or  Spruce  "  (Hall, 
Chron.  513;    N.   &   Q.   3rd   S.    v.    385).      "Perhaps,"    says 
Richardson,   "  the  quotation   from   Hall  will   show   the    true 
origin  of  the  woi'd.     It  was  the  custom  of  our  ancestors,  on 
especial  occasions,   to  dress  after  the   manner   of  particular 

u 


290  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

countries.  The  gentlemen  who  adopted  that  of  Prussia  or 
Spnice  seem,  from  the  description  of  it,  to  have  been  arrayed 
in  a  style  to  which  the  epithet  spruce,  according  to  our  modern 
usage,  might  have  been  applied  with  perfect  propriety.  Prus- 
sian leather  {coriimi  Pruscianum)  is  called  in  Barett  by  the 
familiar  name  of  spruce.'''  The  beer  called  spimce  is  probably 
from  a  totally  different  root ;  perhaps  from  the  German  form 
of  the  word,  viz.  sprossen-bier  {sprossen-fichte,  the  spruce  tree) ; 
from  sprossen,  sprouts ;  sprossen,  to  sprout,  to  bud ;  because 
spruce  is  made  from  the  twigs  and  buds  of  the  tree ;  or  it 
may  be  from  Gr.  itBVK-rj,  a  pine  or  fir.  The  term  sprtice  for  a 
fir-tree  is  not  only  applied  to  all  the  species  of  that  section  of 
the  Linnffian  genus  Piiius  which  are  comprehended  under 
"  Abies,"  but  likewise  to  some  that  are  comprehended  under 
"Pence." 

STAMBOULY.  A  Constantinopolitan  coin,  current  at 
Bassora  for  20|  mamoodies  ;  named  from  Stamboul,  the  Turk- 
ish aiipellation  of  Constantinople. 

STANHOPE.  A  light  two-wheeled  carriage  without  a 
top  ;  named  after  Lord  Stanhope,  for  whom  it  was  contrived. 
"  So  called  from  being  introduced  into  the  beau  monde  by  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Stanhope"  {Pulleyn). 

STANHOPE  LENS.  A  lens,  in  shape,  a  cylinder  of  small 
diameter,  terminated  at  one  end  by  a  hemisphere,  the  other 
end  being  a  portion  of  a  sphere  less  than  a  hemisphere ;  named 
after  the  late  Lord  Stanhope. 

STANHOPE  PRESS.  A  celebrated  press,  invented  by 
Lord  Chas.  Stanhope,  who  died  in  1816. 

STEINBERG  (frequently  called  Stein).  A  wine  made  from 
grapes  grown  at  Steinberg,  near  Biberich,  on  the  Rhine.  It 
is  held  in  as  great  esteem  and  is  equally  priced  with  Johan- 
nisberg. 

STEINMANNITE.  A  mineral,  colour  lead  grey,  found  at 
Przibram,  in  Bohemia,  with  silver,  blende,  pyrite,  and  quartz ; 
named  after  Steinmann. 

STENO'S  DUCT.  The  excretory  duct  of  the  parotid 
gland ;  called  after  its  discoverer,  Nic.  Steno,  a  learned 
anatomist,  who  was  born  at  Copenhagen  in   1638.     He  was 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  291 

author  of  many  works,  the  principal  of  which  is  Elemeutorum 
Myologica?  Specimen,  &c. 

STENTORIAN.  Extremely  loud  ;  as,  a  stentorian  voice ; 
able  to  utter  a  very  loud  sound ;  as,  stentorian  lungs  ;  like 
Stentor  (Srsvrwp),  a  herald  of  the  Greeks  before  Troy  (men- 
tioned by  Homer),  whose  voice  was  as  loud  as  that  of  fifty 
other  men ;  according  to  the  Schol.,  an  Arcadian  who  con- 
tended with  Mercury  in  shouting,  and  lost  his  life. 

"  EvOa  crrafr'  ijoerg  Sea  KevhujXsv  oq  Uprj, 
^tavtopt  £i(ra[j.£vrj,  fxayaXriro^t,  ^aXK£0<^ujvuj, 
Og  Toa-ov  aU'Jijtrao'p^',  0(rov  aXXoi  TrsvrrjKoyta," 

II.  V.  784. 

"  There  standing,  the  white-armed  goddess  Juno  shouted 
aloud,  having  likened  herself  to  great-hearted,  brazen-voiced 
Stentor,  who  was  accustomed  to  shout  as  loud  as  fifty  other 
men." 

STEPHANITE.  A  mineralogical  synonym  of  one  of  the 
varieties  of  brittle  sulphuret  of  silver,  occurring  in  Saxony, 
Bohemia,  Hungary,  the  Hartz,  in  Mexico,  and  Peru ;  named 
after  the  mineralogist  Stephan. 

STEPHEN  or  ST.  STEPHEN'S  DAY.  A  festival  of 
the  Christian  church,  observed  on  the  26  th  Dec.  in  memory 
of  the  first  martyr  St.  Stephen. 

STERLING.  The  lawful  current  money  of  England ;  as 
a  pound  sterling ;  a  shilling  sterling ;  a  penny  sterling.  It  is 
not  now  applied  to  the  coins  of  England ;  but  sterling  cost, 
sterling  value  are  used.  It  was  so  called  from  the  Esterlings  or 
Easterlings,  Saxons  who  occupied  the  district  of  the  present 
Hanse  Towns,  and  who  were  the  earliest  traders  of  Europe 
(Spelman,  Gloss.  203;  Dufresne  iii.  165).  "  Probably  from 
Easterling,  once  the  popular  name  of  German  traders  in  Eng- 
land, whose  money  was  of  the  purest  quality  "  {Camden').  "  So 
called  from  Esterlings,  i.e.  Prussians  and  Pomeranians,  who  in 
old  times  were  artists  in  filing  gold  and  silver,  and  taught  it  to 
the  Britons"  (5c«7e?/).  ^^  Sterling,  sterlingum,  was  and  is  the 
epithet  for  silver  money  current  within  the  realm ;  and  took 

V  2 


292  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

name  from  this,  that  there  was  a  pure  coin  stamped  first  in 
England  by  the  Easterlings  or  merchants  of  East  Germany,  by 
the  command  of  King  John,  and  accordingly  Roger  Hoveden, 
parte  poster,  suor.  annal.  fol.  377,  writes  it  Esterling"  {Cowel). 
See  also  Stat,  of  Purveyors,  cap.  13;  stat.  31  Edw.  I.;  Lownd's 
Essay  upon  Coins,  p.  14;  Keunet's   G-loss.  in   Sterlingi;  and 

Ruding's   Hist,   of  Coinage. Genuine,   pure,   of  excellent 

quality ;  as,  a  work  of  sterling  merit ;  a  man  of  sterling  wit  or 
good  sense. 

STILTON.  A  well-known  cheese  first  made  at  Stilton, 
CO.  Huntingdon,  but  now  chiefly  in  Leicestershire.  "  Stilton, 
'that's  the  Stilton,'  or  *  it  is  not  the  Stilton,'  i.e.  that  is  quite 
the  thing,  or  that  is  not  quite  the  thing;  polite  rendering  of 
'  that  is  not  the  cheese.'"  (/.  C.  Hotten). 

STCECHAS.  French  lavender  ;  from  2roi>ca5s^,  the  islands 
on  which  it  grew. — Forsyth. 

STOIC  (Sroococ).  A  disciple  of  the  philosopher  Zeno,  who 
founded  a  sect.  He  taught  that  men  should  be  free  from 
passion,  unmoved  by  joy  or  grief,  and  submit  without  com- 
plaint to  the  unavoidable  necessity  by  which  all  things  are 
governed  ;  from  Sroa,  a  porch  in  Athens  where  Zeno  taught. 

STOIC,  STOICAL.  Pertaining  to  the  Stoics  or  to  their 
doctrines ;  not  affected  by  passion,  unfeeling,  manifesting  in- 
diiFerence  to  pleasure  or  pain.     See  Stoic. 

STOICISM.  A  real  or  pretended  indifierence  to  pleasure 
or  pain  ;  insensibility  ;  the  opinions  and  maxims  of  the  Stoics. 

See  Stoic. 

STOKIN  or  STOKEN.     An  apple;  probably  named  from 

Stoke,  in  Herefordshire. 

STOLPENITE.     The  bole  of  Stolpen,  a  town  of  Saxony. 

STRADUARIUS.  A  violin  ;  named  from  its  maker, 
Antonio  Stradivarius,  most  skilful  pupil  of  Amati,  born  at 
Cremona  about  1670,  died  about  1728,  whose  altos,  contre- 
bassos,  but,  above  all,  whose  violins  are  in  the  highest  estima- 
tion. 

STRAKONITZITE.  A  yellowish  green  steatite-like 
mineral,  forming  pseudomorphs  at  Mutenitz,  near  Strakonitz, 
in  Bohemia. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  293 

STRATHSPEY.  A  lively  Scotch  dance,  a  sort  of  reel, 
danced  in  most  parts  of  Scotland ;  named  from  Strathspey. 

STRELITZIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  two  species,  natives 
of  the  Cape  ;  named  by  Sir  Joseph  Banks  in  honour  of  Queen 
Charlotte  of  Great  Britain,  of  the  family  of  Mecklenburg- 
Strelitz,  a  patroness  of  the  science  of  botany. 

STROGANOWITE.  A  mineral,  a  silicate,  from  near  the 
River  Sludiinka,  in  Dauria ;  named  after  M.  Stroganow. 

STROMEYERITE.  A  steel-grey  ore  of  silver,  consisting 
of  sulphui*,  silver,  and  copper  (Dana)  ;  named  after  M.  Stro- 
meyer. 

STROMNITE.  Another  name  for  bary-strontianite,  a 
compound  of  carbonate  of  strontian  and  sulphate  of  baryta ; 
called  from  Stromness,  in  Orkney. 

STRONTIA.  A  genus  of  ponderous  earths,  consisting  of 
strontian  earth  combined  with  acids.     See  Strontian. 

STRONTIAN.  An  earth  which  when  pure  and  dry  is 
perfectly  white,  and  resembles  baryta  in  many  of  its  proper- 
ties ;  named  from  Strontian,  in  Argyleshire,  noted  for  its  rich 
lead  mines,  where  it  was  discovered  in  1790. 

STRONTIUM.     A  base  of  strontian,  q.v. 

STRUMPFIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  only  one  species, 
native  of  Curasao;  named  by  Jacquin  after  Christop.  Car. 
StrumpfF,  professor  of  chemistry  and  botany  at  Halle,  in  Ger- 
many, editor  of  Liunjeus's  Genera  in  1752. 

STRUVITE.  A  name  given  to  the  crystallised  ammonio- 
magnesian  phosphate,  found  in  peat  earth  in  digging  the 
foundation  of  a  church  at  Hamburg ;  named  in  honour  of 
Struve. 

STYGIA.  A  water  made  from  corrosive  sublimate ;  so 
called,  on  account  of  its  supposed  poisonous  qualities,  from 
Styx,  a  name  given  by  the  poets  to  one  of  the  rivers  of  hell. 

STYGIAN.     Hellish;  infernal. 

"  At  that  80  sudden  blaze,  the  Stygian  throng 
Bent  their  aspect," — Milton, 

So  called  from  Styx,  one  of  the  rivers  of  hell,  over  which  the 
shades  of  the  dead  passed,  or  the  region  of  the  dead. 


294  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

SUFFOLK  PUNCH.  A  variety  of  team  horse ;  probably 
bred  in  Suffolk. 

SULTAN   OSMAE.     A  turban  ranunculus  so  named. 

SULTAN  PLANT  or  SWEET  SULTAN.  An  annual 
flowering  plant,  Centaurea  moschata ;  named  after  one  of  the 
sultans  of  Turkey. 

SULTANA.  A  raisin ;  named  in  honour  of  the  Sultana, 
i.e.  the  queen  of  the  Sultan  of  Turkey. 

SULTANIN.  A  former  Turkish  money  of  120  aspers ; 
also  a  gold  coin  worth  10s.;  also  a  name  for  the  Venetian  gold 
sequin  ;  doubtless  named  after  one  of  the  sultans  of  Turkey. 

SURAT.     Coarse  short  cotton  grown  in  the  neighbourhood 

of  Surat,  in  the  Bombay  presidency  {S.  F.  CresioeU). "  An 

adulterated  article  of  inferior  quality.  This  word  affords  a 
remarkable  instance  of  the  manner  in  which  slang  phrases  are 
coined.  In  the  report  of  an  action  for  libel  in  the  Times,  May 
8,  1863,  it  is  stated  that  since  the  American  civil  war  it  has 
been  not  unusual  for  manufacturers  to  mix  American  cotton 
with  Surat,  and  the  latter  being  an  inferior  article,  the  people 
in  Lancashire  have  begun  to  apply  the  term  Surat  to  any 
article  of  inferior  or  adulterated  quality.  The  plaintiffs  were 
brewers,  and  the  action  was  brought  to  recover  special  damages 
resulting  from  the  publication  of  an  advertisement  in  these 
words : — '  All  in  want  of  beerhouses  must  beware  of  Beau- 
mont and  White,  the  Surat  brewers '  "  {J.  C.  Hotten). 

SURIANIA.  A  plant  of  only  one  species,  native  of  the 
sea-coast  of  South  America  and  the  West  India  Islands;  named 
by  Plumier  in  honour  of  Donat  vSurian,  physician  at  Marseilles, 
who  accompanied  him  in  his  travels. 

SURINAMINE.  A  crystallisable  principle  obtained  from 
the  bark  of  the  Geoffroya  Surinamensis  or  Surinam  bark,  i.e. 
from  Surinam,  in  Lower  Guiana. 

SUSSEX  MARBLE.  A  variety  of  limestone  constituting 
one  of  the  freshwater  deposits  of  the  Wealden  group. 

SWEDE.     A  turnip  originally  from  Sweden. 

SWEDENBORGIANISM.  The  doctrines  of  the  followers 
of  Emanuel  Swedenborg,  who  claimed  to  have  habitual  inter- 
course with  the  world  of  spirits,  and  to  have  received  Divine 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  295 

instructions  from  on  high.  He  denied  the  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity,  and  maintained  that  Jesus  Christ  alone  is  God.  He 
taught  the  doctrine  of  corresj^ondences,  i.e.  that  tliere  is  a 
spiritual  meaning  of  the  Scriptures  lying  back  of  the  literal 
one,  which  constitutes  the  only  true  meaning. — Encyc.  Am. 

SWEETIA.  A  genus  of  leguminous  plants ;  called  after 
Robert  Sweet,  F.L.S.,  author  of  several  botanical  works. 

SWERTIA.  A  plant  of  six  species,  natives  of  Germany, 
Austria,  Switzerland,  France,  and  Siberia,  in  Alpine  bogs, 
Virginia,  Arabia  Felix,  Canada,  and  Kamschatka ;  named  by 
LinnjEUS  in  honour  of  Eman.  Sweert,  a  cultivator  of  bulbs  and 
flowers  in  Holland,  author  of  Florilegium  in  1612. 

SWIETENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Cedrelacece,  of 
three  species,  one  of  which  is  the  mahogany  tree,  a  native  of 
the  warmest  parts  of  America,  and  growing  plentifully  in  Cuba, 
Jamaica,  Hispaniola,  and  in  the  Bahamas ;  named  by  Jacquin 
in  honour  of  the  illustrious  Van  Swieteu,  chief  physician  to 
Maria  Teresa,  Empress  of  Germany,  who,  at  his  persuasion, 
founded  the  botanic  garden  at  Vienna. 

SWISS.  A  mercenary.  This  term  arose  from  the  hired 
bands  of  Swiss  soldiers  who,  in  the  Middle  Ages,  and  down  to 
our  own  times,  found  employment  in  the  armies  of  foreign 
states.  Le  Suisse,  in  a  French  church,  is  the  verger  (from 
this  post  being  formerly  held  by  Swiss),  and  is  usually  a  tall 
man  dressed  rather  more  extravagantly  than  an  English 
dowager's  footman,  with  livery,  cocked  hat,  and  stafi^, — S.  F. 
Creswell. 

SYBARITIC,  SYBARITIC AL.  Luxurious,  wanton ;  like 
a  Sybarite.  "  On  the  4th  I  shall  get  to  town,  when  I  hope 
you  will  dine  with  me  on  a  single  dish,  to  atone  to  phylosophy 
for  the  sybaritic  dinners  of  Prior  Park  "  (Holland,  Plinie  b. 
xviii.  c.  30).  So  called  from  Sybaris,  a  town  of  Magna  Graicia, 
whose  inhabitants  were  noted  for  their  luxury  and  sensuality. 
•'  Sybaris,  a  Greek  city  in  Lucania,  in  Southern  Italy,  situated 
between  the  River  Crathis  (hod.  Crati)  and  the  Sybaris  (hod. 
Coscile,  Coscilello,  or  Siburi).  It  was  a  colony  founded  about 
B.C.  720  by  Achaians  and  Troezenians  (Aristotle,  Polit,  v.  ii, 
156,   ed.   Gottling ;    Strabo,   vi.    244).     Strabo,  without  men- 


296  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

tioning  the  Troezenians,  calls  it  an  Achaian  colony  founded 
by  Iseliceus.     In  consequence  of  the  fertility  of  the  district 
this  colony  soon  increased  in  wealth  and  power;  for  at  the  time 
of  its  greatest  prosperity,  about  200  years  after  its  foundatioUy 
it  hnd,  according  to   Strabo,  acquired  the  dominion  over  four 
neighbouring  tribes,  and  had  twenty-five  subject  towns.      The 
city  itself  occupied  a  space  of  fifty  stadia  in  circumference,  and 
the  Sybarites  were  enabled  to  send  an  army  of  300,000  into 
the  field,  a  number  which  does  not  appear  so  unreasonable  as 
some  modern  writers  have  thought  (Strabo,  Diodorus  Sic.  xii. 
9).     Sybaris  itself  also  became  the  mother  of  other  colonies, 
such  as  Posidonia,  and  carried  on  a  considerable  commerce, 
especially  with  Miletus,  in  Asia  Minor.     But  the  prosperity  of 
Sybaris  had  a  pernicious  influence  on  the  people,  and  within 
the  short  period  of  210  years  that  it  existed  the  effeminacy 
and  the  luxury  of  the  inhabitants  were  carried  to  such  a  pitch 
that   the  name  Sybarite  became  proverbial  and    synonymous 
with  a  voluptuous  pei'son.     Many  curious  particulars  in  illus- 
tration of  their  effeminate  character  are  mentioned  in  Athe- 
njBus  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  believe  if  they  were  not 
reported  on  the  authority  of  Aristotle,  Timseus,  and  Phylar- 
chus.     Thus  it  is  stated,  among  other  things,  that  it  was  for- 
bidden by  law  to  carry  on  within  the  city  any  trade  or  craft 
which  made  a  noise,  or  might  possibly  disturb  the  citizens  in 
their  sleep ;  and  for  the  same  reason  no  person  was  alloAved  to 
keep  cocks  (Athengeus,   xii.   518,   &c.)     The  arts  which  con- 
tributed to  the  enjoyment  of  life  were  prized  most  highly,  and 
those  who  distinguished  themselves  as  inventors  in  this  lin  e 
were  considered  benefactors  to  the  nation.     A  Sybarite  of  the 
name  of  Smindyrides  is  called  by  Herodotus  the  most  luxu- 
rious man  that  ever  lived ;  and  it  is  said  that  when  he  went  to 
Sicyon  to  sue  for  the  daughter  of  Cleisthenes  he  was  accom- 
panied by  one  thousand  cooks  and  fowlers  (Herodotus,  vi.  27  ; 
Athenseus,    xii.   511    and    541.       Cf.    Perizonius    on   Aelian, 
Var.  Hist.  ix.  24).     .     .     .     It  is  pi'obable  that  all  we  read 
about  the  efteminacy  of  the  Sybarites  applies  only  to  the  ruling 
aristocracy.     .     .     .     The  city  was  taken,  sacked,  and  razed 
to  the  ground,  and  most  of  the  inhabitants  put  to  the  sword,  by 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  297 

Croton,  B.C.  510.  .  .  .  The  site  of  the  ancient  Sybavis  is 
at  present  unknown,  but  it  is  generally  supposed  to  have  been 
situated  near  the  modern  Torre  Brodognato  or  Terra  Nuova" 
(P.  Cyc.) 

SYDNEAN  or  SYDNEIAN.  A  name  given  to  a  kind  of 
white  earth  brought  from  Sidney  Cove,  in  South  Wales. 

SYENITE  or  SIENITE.  A  compound  granular  rock 
composed  of  quartz,  hornblende,  and  felspar,  colour  greyish  ; 
so  called  because  many  ancient  monuments  consisting  of  this 
rock  have  been  brought  from  Syene,  in  Upper  Egypt. — 
Dana. 

SYEPOORITE.  A  mineral,  a  sulphuret,  employed  by  the 
Indian  jewellers  to  give  a  rose  colour  to  gold  ;  so  called  from 
Syepoor,  near  Rajpootanah,  in  North- West  India,  w^here  it 
occurs  in  ancient  schists  w^ith  magnetic  pyrites. 

SYLVANITE.  Native  tellurium,  a  metallic  substance 
discovered  in  Transylvania. 

SYPHILIS.  Dr.  Mason  Good  says  that  this  term  vras 
probably  invented  by  Frascatorio,  from  Gr.  a-vv  and  (piXsou,  im- 
porting "  mutual  love ;"  for  such  is  the  title  by  which  he  has 
desiguated  his  celebrated  and  very  elegant  poem  on  this  very 
inelegant  subject.  Others  derive  it  from  (mpXoQ,  disgusting  ; 
others  from  the  name  of  a  shepherd  who  fed  the  flocks  of 
King  Alcithous,  and  who  insulted  the  sun,  in  vengeance  of 
which  the  venereal  disease  was  sent  upon  earth. — Hooper, 
Lex.  Med. 

SYRIAC.  The  language  of  Syria,  especially  the  ancient 
language  of  that  country. 

SYRIANISM  or  SYRIASM.  A  Syrian  idiom,  or  a  pe- 
culiarity in  the  Syrian  language. 

SYRTIS  (Gr.  (rv^riQ).  A  quicksand  or  shelve  in  the  water, 
made  by  the  drift  of  sand  or  gravel;  so  called  from  the  Greater 
and  Lesser  Syrtes,  on  the  north  coast  of  Africa. 


298  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

T. 

TiENIA  TARINI.  A  yellowish  horny  band  lying  over 
the  vena  corporis  striati,  first  noticed  by  Tarinus.  It  is  a 
thickening  of  the  lining  membrane  of  the  ventricle. 

TAFFY,  A  Welchman  ;  corruption  of  David,  a  common 
name  in  Wales. 

TAFILET.  An  excellent  fig  imported  into  Europe  in  con- 
siderable quantities ;  from  Tafilelt,  a  principality  of  Marocco, 
east  of  the  Atlas  range. 

TAGILITE.  A  mineral,  colour  emerald  green  to  mountain 
green,  occurring  at  Nischnii  Tagilsk  in  reuiform  masses  on 
brown  iron  ore. 

TAGLIACOTIAN  or  TALIACOTIAN.  Rhinoplastic, 
applied  to  the  surgical  operation  for  restoring  the  nose.  The 
Taliacotian  operation  is  a  mode  of  forming  a  new  nose  from 
the  integuments  of  the  forehead,  or  from  the  arm,  &c.,  of 
another  person  ;  named  from  the  first  operator.  Gasper  Talia- 
cotius  (Tagliacozzi),  a  Venetian  surgeon,  whose  statue  stands 
in  the  anatomical  theatre  at  Bononia,  holding  a  nose  in  his 
hand. 

TAGLIONI.  An  overcoat;  so  named  after  Madame  Taglioni, 
the  late  celebrated  dancer. 

TALBOR'S  POWDER  (English  remedy).  The  name 
formerly  given  in  France  to  cinchona,  from  the  successful  use 
of  it  in  intermittent  fever  by  Sir  Robert  Talbor,  who  employed 
it  as  a  secret  remedy.  For  a  similar  reason  it  has,  at  different 
times,  received  the  names  of  the  Countess's  Powder,  Jesuits' 
Powder,  &c. 

TALBOTYPE.  A  process  of  photography  invented  by 
Mr.  Fox  Talbot. 

TAMARIND  (Sp.  tamarindo,  It.  tamarino,  taviarindi,  Fr. 
tamarin).  A  tree  which  yields  the  fruit  called  tamainnds. 
Two  species  are  recognised,  one  a  native  of  the  East  Indies, 
Arabia,  and  Egypt ;  the  other  of  the  West  Indies  and  South 
America.  It  is  cultivated  in  both  the  Indies  for  the  sake  of 
its  shade,  and  for  its  grateful  cooling  acid  fruit,  the  pulp  of 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  299 

which,  dried  either  alone  or  with  Bait,  or  mixed  with  boiled 
sugar,  is  imported  into  northern  countries.  The  word  is  de- 
rived from  the  Aral),  jjy^:^  [  ^['j  tamni'l  Hind,  the  date  of 
Hind  or  India.  In  like  manner  the  Malacca  bean  is  called 
tamriClfahn.  The  word  tamr  signifies  not  only  a  ripe  date  (of 
which  there  are  seventy  species),  but  also  a  dry  or  preserved 
date. 

TANTALIZE.  To  tease  or  torment  by  presenting  some 
good  to  the  view,  and  exciting  desire,  but  continually  frustrat- 
ing the  expectations  by  keeping  such  good  out  of  reach;  to 
tease ;  to  torment ;  so  called  from  Tantalus  (son  of  Jupiter, 
father  of  Pelops  and  Niobe),  a  king  of  Lydia. 

"  Thy  vain  desires,  at  strife 
Within  themselves,  have  tantalized  thy  life." — Dryden. 

Tantalus   is   represented   by    the  poets   as  punished  in  hell 
with  an  insatiable  thirst,  and  placed  up  to  the  chin  in  the 
midst  of  a  pool  of  water,  which,  however,  flows  away  as  soon 
as  he  attempts  to  taste  it.     There  hangs  also  above  his  head  a 
bough  richly  loaded  with  delicious  fruits,  which,  as  soon  as  he 
attempts  to  seize  it,  is  carried  away  from  his  reach  by  a  sudden 
blast  of  wind.     According  to  some,  his  punishment  is  to  sit 
under  a  huge  stone  hung  at  some  distance  over  his  head,  and, 
as  it  seems  every  moment  ready  to  fall,  he  is  kept  under  con- 
tinual  alarms  and  never-ceasing   fears.     The  causes   of  this 
eternal  punishment  are  variously  explained.     Some  declare 
that  it  was  inflicted  upon  him  because  he  stole  a  favourite  dog, 
which  Jupiter  had  intrusted  to  his  care  to  keep  his  temple  in 
Crete.     According  to  others,  he  stole  away  the  nectar  and  am- 
brosia from  the  tables  of  the  gods  when  he  was  admitted  into 
the  assemblies  of  heaven,  and  that  he  gave  it  to  mortals  on 
earth.     Others  say,  from  his  cruelty  and  impiety  in  killing  his 
son  Pelops,  and  in  serving  his  limbs  as  food  before  the  gods, 
whose  divinity  and  power  he  wished  to  try,  when  they  stopped 
at  his  house  as  they  passed  over  Phrygia.     There  are  also 
others  who  impute  it  to  his  lasciviousness  in  carrying  away 
Ganymedes  to  gratify  the  most  unnatural  of  passions.     Pind, 
O.   1  ;  Hom.   Od.  581  ;  Cic.  Tusc.  i.  5,  4,  16;  Eurip.  Iphig.  ; 


300  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

Proper t.  2,  1,66;  Hor.   Sat.   i.    1,  68  ;  and  Lempriere. A 

genus  of  birds  allied  to  the  Ibis. Tantalus's  cup  is  the  name 

of  a  philosophical  toy  which  amusingly  exhibits  the  principle 
of  the  siphon. 

TANTALUM  ( Columhimi).  A  metal  found  in  the  Swedish 
minerals  tantalite  and  yttro-tantalite ;  so  named  from  the  in- 
solubility of  its  oxide  in  acids,  in  allusion  to  the  fable  of  Tan- 
talus. Hence  tanialimi  ore  (columbite  of  Hatchett),  a  prismatic 
ore  of  tantalum,  occurring  as  a  coarse  red  granite  in  Finland. 

TARANTELLA.     See  Tarentism  and  Tarentula. 

TARENTISM  or  TARANTISM  (L.  tarentismus).  A 
fabulous  disease  supposed  to  be  produced  by  the  bite  of  the 
insect  called  the  tarentula,  and  considered  to  be  incapable  of 
cure,  except  by  protracted  dancing  to  appropriate  music : 
hence  the  Sp.  tai^antela,  a  powerful  impressive  tune  played  to 
cure  the  bite  of  the  tarantula ;  whence  the  celebrated  dance 
called  the  tarantella. 

TARENTULA  or  TARANTULA  (It.  tarantella,  formerly 
tarantola,  Sp.  tarantula,  Fr.  tarenttde,  O.  Fr.  tarentole).  A 
species  of  spider  Avhose  bite  on  some  persons  produces  no 
effect,  and  on  others  is  about  equal  to  the  sting  of  a  wasp ;  so 
called  from  Tarentum  (hod.  Taranto),  a  city  of  Naples,  in  the 
vicinity  of  which  this  insect  is  said  to  be  found. 

TARIFF  (Fr.  tarif,  Sp.  tarifa,  It.  tariffa).  A  list  or  table 
of  duties  or  customs  to  be  paid  on  goods  imported  or  exported. 
Some  derive  the  word  from  the  Arab.  u_aytj"  tarif  (Hind,  id., 
Hindi  tdinph,  Tel.  tariplm) ;  lit.  determination,  ascertainment ; 
from  i^_s.jS.  arafa,  to  know;  others  from  Tarifa,  a  town  of  Spain, 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  where  duties  were 
formerly  collected. 

TARQUINISH.  Proud,  haughty;  like  Tarquin,  a  king  of 
Rome. — Quart.  Rev. 

TARRAGON.  The  herb  dragon-wort ;  a  plant  of  the 
genus  Artemisia,  celebrated  for  perfuming  vinegar  in  France  ; 
so  called  from  Tarragona,  in  Spain,  where  it  abounds. 

TARSHISH.  In  Scriptural  times,  a  precious  stone ;  so 
called  as  brought  from  Tarshish,  an  ancient,  celebrated,  and 
opulent  city,  which  carried  on  trade  in  the  Mediterranean  and 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  301 

with  the  seaports  of  Syria,  especinlly  Tyre  and  Joppa.  It 
was  doubtless  the  same  with  Tartessus,  in  Spain,  which  was 
not  far  from  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  and  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Guadalquivir.  The  Lxx,  followed  by  Josephus,  makes 
this  stone  the  "  chiysolite,"  i.e.  the  topaz  of  the  moderns, 
which  is  still  found  in  Spain.  Others  suppose  it,  without 
reason,  to  be  amber.  In  the  authorised  version  the  word  is 
translated  "beryl."  Cf.  Exod.  xxviii.  20;  xxxix.  13;  Ezek. 
i.  16;  X.  9 ;  xxviii.  13;  Cant.  v.  14;  Dan.  x.  6. 

TARTAN  (O.  Fr.  tyretaine,  Mod.  Fr.  tiretahie).  A  sort  of 
woollen  cloth,  checkered  or  cross-barred  with  threads  of 
various  colours  (Janiiesoii' s  Diet.)  A  checkered  worsted  stuff, 
called  tartan  or  plaid,  is  made  in  various  parts  of  England 
{Encyc.  of  Dom.  Econ.)  Logan  derives  the  word  from  Gael. 
tarstin  or  tarsiUn,  "  across;"  but  Planche  says  the  French  had 
the  word  tiretaine  for  a  woollen  cloth  as  early  as  the  thirteenth 
century,  and  that  the  true  Gael,  term  for  the  Highland  plaid 
or  mantle  is  treacan-feile,  lit.  the  "  chequered,  striped,  or 
spotted  covering."  Tartan,  in  French  tyretaine,  in  Latin 
tiretanus,  was  a  fine  woollen  cloth,  much  used  for  ladies'  robes, 
and  generally  of  a  scarlet  colour.     John  de  Menu  speaks  of 

"  Robbes  faites  par  grands  devises, 
De  beaux  draps  de  soies  et  de  laine, 
De  scarlate  de  tiretaine." — Roman  de  la  Rose. 

From  whence,  probably,  its  name,  the  teint  or  colour  of  Tyre; 
scarlet  being  indifferently  used  for  purple  by  the  early  writers, 
and  including  "  all  the  gradations  of  colours  formed  by  the  mix- 
ture of  blue  and  red,  from  indigo  to  crimson"  (  Vide  Illustrations 
of  Northern  Antiquaries,  4to,  Edinb.  1814,  p.  36.    Planche). 

(Sp.,  It.,  and  Russ.  tartana,  Fr.  tartam,  Barb.  Gr.  taprava.) 

A  small  coasting  vessel  in  the  Mediterranean,  having  only  one 
mast  and  a  bowsprit;  now  a  boat  for  transport  and  fishing,  says 
Jal.  Menage,  however,  seems  to  think  that  the  name  of  the 
vessel  was  formed  from  Tartarina,  i.e.  from  Tartary.  lie  says 
further  that  tarida,  ttxpihs,  is  a  sort  of  sea  vessel,  and  that 
tartane  may  have  come  from  tarida;  thus  tarida,  taridana, 
tardana,  Tartane.     Jal  says  tartane  may  be  from  Bas.  L.  tarta, 


302  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

a  ship  of  the  Middle  Ages,  which  the  continuers  of  Du  Cange 
regard  as  the  taride ;  and  that  the  form  tarta  is  very  near  the 
forms  tareda  and  tareta  ;  but  that  tartane  may  also  come  from 
the  old  Sp.  tardante. 

TARTAR.  A  person  of  a  keen  irritable  temper :  hence, 
to  catch  a  Tartar,  i.e.  to  lay  hold  of  or  encounter  a  person  who 
proves  too  strong  for  the  assailant ;  so  called  from  the  Tatars. 
Latin  authors  of  the  thirteenth  century  changed  the  name  into 
Tartar,  from  having,  perhaps,  the  same  sound  as  their  word 
Tartarus.     See  David's  Turk.  Gram. ;    Remusat,  tom.  i.   1 ; 

Klaproth,  tom.  ii.  1. "A  savage  fellow,  an  ugly  customer" 

{J.  C.  Rotten). 

TARTAREAN  or  TARTAREOUS.  Hellish;  pertaining 
to  Tartarus,  the  name  of  the  infernal  regions,  over  which 
Pluto  or  Hades  ruled. 

"  And  for  lightning  see 
Black  fire  and  horror,  shot  with  equal  rage 
Among  his  angels  ;  and  his  thi-one  itself 
Mixt  with  Tartarean  sulphur,  and  strange  fire, 
His  own  invented  torments." — Milton,  P.  L.  b.  ii. 

TARTERINE  (O.  Eng.  tarteryne).  Formerly,  a  kind  of 
silk  stuff;  said  to  have  been  so  named  because  obtained  from 
the  Tartars,  properly  Tatars. 

TARTUFFISH.  A  term  used  by  Sterne  for  precise, 
hypocritical ;  so  called  from  Tartuffe,  the  hero  in  Molicre's 
celebrated  comedy  of  the  same  name ;  hence  the  Fr.  tartafe,  a 
hypocrite. 

TAURUS  PONIATOWSKI.  A  modern  constellation, 
consisting  of  seven  stars,  situated  between  Aquila  and  Ophi- 
uchus,  formed  by  the  Abbe  Poczobut,  a  Polish  astronomer,  in 
1778;  probably  named  after  Poniatowski,  King  of  Poland, 
father  of  the  celebrated  Polish  general. 

TAWDRY.  Very  fine  and  showy  in  colours,  without  taste 
or  elegance ;  having  an  excess  of  showy  ornaments  without 
grace ;  as,  a  taiodry  dress ;  tawdry  feathers ;  tawdry  colours. 
"  Tawdry  implies  the  gay  or  gaudy  finery  purchased  at  the 
fair  held  in  Ely  and  elsewhere  on  St.  Etheldreda's  Feast,  on 
the   17th  Oct."  (Nares,  Gloss.)      Thus   St.   Etlieldreda,    St. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  303 

Aiidry,    Staudry,    Tawdry.      "Just  as  St.  Olave's  Street  be- 
comes Tooley  Street"  {S.  F.  Creswell). 

TELAMONES.  In  architecture,  figures  of  men  supporting 
entablatures,  as  distinguished  from  caryatides,  wliicb  are 
figures  of  women.  Dr.  Wm.  Smith  says  the  Greeks  called 
them  Atlautes,  and  he  thinks  they  may  refer  to  the  strength 
of  Ajax,  son  of  Telamon.  Atlas  is  also  called  Telamon  in 
Latin,  and  Telamon  was  the  name  of  a  town  and  harbour  of 
Etruria,  now  called  Talamone. 

TELEPHIUM.  A  great  ulcer,  and  of  difficult  cure ;  so 
named  from  Telephus,  who  received  a  wound  from  Achilles, 

which  pi'oved  incurable. {Sedem    Telepliiuni) .     Systematic 

name  of  the  orpine,  "  because  it  heals  old  ulcers,  such  as  that 
of  Telephus,  made  by  Ulysses  "  (Forsyth). 

TEMPLAR.  A  student  of  the  law  in  the  inns  of  court 
called  the  Inner  or  Middle  Temple.  "  So  called  from  a  house 
near  the  Thames,  which  originally  belonged  to  the  Knights 
Templars.  The  latter  took  their  denomination  from  an  apart- 
ment of  the  palace  of  Baldwin  II.,  in  Jerusalem,  near  the 
Temple"  (Webstei^). 

TENERIFFE.  A  wine  often  sold  as  Madeira;  brought 
from  Teneriflfe,  one  of  the  Canary  Islands,  abounding  in  wine, 
fruit,  cattle,  and  game.     It  is  also  called  Vidonia. 

TENNANTITE.  A  blackish  lead-grey  ore  of  copper, 
from  Cornwall,  consisting  of  copper,  iron,  arsenic,  and  sulphur; 
named  after  Smithson  Tennant. 

TERENTIAN.  Pertaining  or  peculiar  to  Terence  (Pub- 
lius  Terentius  Afer),  the  celebrated  Latin  comic  poet;  as 
Terentian  measures. 

TERMAGANT.  A  boisterous,  brawling,  turbulent  woman; 
in  Shakespeare  used  of  men. 

"  She  threw  his  periwig  into  the  fire.  '  Well,'  said  he, '  thou  art  a  brave 
temuicjant.'  " — Tutler. 

"  The  sprites  of  fiery  termagants  in  flame." — Pope. 

"  The  eldest  was  a  termagant,  imperious,  prodigal,  profligate  wench." 
— Arbuthnot. 

So  called  from  Termagant,  a  vociferous  tumultuous  character 


304  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

iu  ancient  farces  and  puppet  shows.  Cf.  the  Tale  of  Sir 
Thopas,  iu  Chaucer,  i.  15,221. 

TERMINALIA.  Roman  festivals,  annually  celebrated  in 
February,  iu  honour  of  the  god  Terminus ;  first  established  by 
Numa.  Peasants  assembled  at  the  principal  termini,  or  land- 
mai'ks,  that  divided  the  fields,  and  offered  libations  of  milk  and 
wine.  These  termini  were  a  kind  of  statues  without  hands  or 
feet. 

TERPSICHORE  AN.  Relating  to  Terpsichore,  the  muse 
who  presided  over  dancing. 

TERRA  SIENNA  (It.)  A  brown  bole  or  ochre,  used  as 
a  pigment ;  from  Sienna,  in  Italy. 

TEUCRIUM.  A  plant,  the  herb  speedwell;  now  applied 
to  a  genus,  nat.  or.  Labiatce ;  so  called,  according  to  Diosco- 
rides,  from  Teucer,  a  Trojan  commander,  by  whom  it  was 
discovered. 

TEUTONIC.     The  language  of  the  Teutons,  the  parent  of 

the  German,  Dutch,  and  Anglo-Saxon  or  native  English. 

A  military  religious  order  of  knights,  founded  in  1191,  in  imi- 
tation of  the  Templars  and  Hospitalers.  It  was  composed 
chiefly  of  Teutons  or  Germans,  Avho  marched  to  the  Holy 
Land  in  the  Crusades,  and  was  established  in  that  country  for 
charitable  purposes.  It  increased  in  numbers  and  strength  till 
it  became  master  of  all  Prussia,  Livonia,  and  Pomerania. 

TEXASITE.  Another  name  for  emerald  nickel,  found  on 
chromite  at  Texas,  iu  Lancaster,  co.  Pennsylvania. 

THAPSIA.  The  deadly  carrot,  Thapsia  asclejnas  of  Lin- 
naeus ;  from  Thapsus,  the  island  where  it  is  found. — Forsyth. 

THAPSUS.  The  great  white  mullein,  or  cow's  lung-wort ; 
from  the  Island  Thapsus. — Forsyth. 

THEBAICA.  The  Egyptian  poppy ;  from  the  country 
about  the  ancient  city  of  Thebes,  where  it  flourished. — 
Forsyth. 

THEBAID.  A  celebrated  heroic  poem,  written  in  twelve 
books,  by  Statins,  the  Roman  poet,  contemporary  with  Domi- 
tian.  The  subject  of  this  poem  is  the  civil  war  of  Thebes 
between  the  two  brothers  Eteocles  and  Polynices,  or  Thebes 
taken  by  Theseus.     The  author  was  twelve  years  in  composing 


VK1M5A    NOMINALIA.  '6()5 

it.  Several  Greek  poets  had  composed  Thebaids  before  the 
time  of  Statins,  tlio  principal  of  whicli  were  Antagoras,  Anti- 
phaiies  of  Coloplion,  Meiielaus  the  ^gean,  and  an  anonymous 
autlior  mentioned  by  Pausanius,  lib.  ix. — Nuttall. 

THEBAN  YEAR.  In  ancient  chronology^  the  Egyptian 
year  of  365  days  and  6  hours ;  so  called  from  Thebes,  where 
it  was  doubtless  first  in  vogue. 

THENARDIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  two  species,  one  a 
native  of  Cayeniie,  the  other  of  Mexico ;  dedicated  by  Kunth 
in  honour  of  his  friend  L.  J.  Thenard,  who  wi'ote  on  the 
chemical  physiology  of  plants. 

THEODOLITE.  A  surveyor's  compass  furnislied  with  a 
small  telescope  for  the  more  accurate  measurement  of  angles. 
Webster  derives  it  from  9sw,  to  run,  5oX{;^^o^,  long;  and  several 
other  etymologies  will  be  found  in  Notes  and  Queries.  It  was, 
perhaps,  invented  by  and  called  after  one  Theodulus,  a  name 
that  occurs  more  than  once  in  Zedler  (Lex.)  A  writer  in 
Notes  and  Queries  (3rd  S.  vii.  337)  says,  "  I  have  before  me 
a  copy  of  Exegeses  Physico-Mathematicce,  de  momentis  gra- 
vium,  de  vecte,  &c.,  dedicated  to  D.  Carolum  Theodolum, 
Marchionem  S.  Viti,  Romje,  1685.  He  is  described  as  belong- 
ing to  a  family  renowned  for  their  interest  in  mathematical 
studies.  It  is  not  very  improbable  that  the  instrument  was 
named  after  him,  or  one  of  his  ancestors.  I  have  less  doubt 
in  offering  this  suggestion,  as  all  others  hitherto  given  seem  so 
manifestly  impossible." 

THEODOSIAN  CODE.  An  important  code  of  laws  pro- 
mulgated in  the  Eastern  Roman  empire,  a.d.  438,  under  the 
auspices  of  Theodosius  11. 

THEOPHRASTA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Myrsinaceai, 
from  the  pounded  seeds  of  which  bread  is  said  to  be  made  in 
St.  Domingo,  where  it  is  called  le  ipetit  coco.  It  was  originally 
called  Eresia  by  Plumier,  from  Sresus,  in  the  isle  of  Lesbos, 
the  birth-place  of  Theophrastus,  the  celebrated  Greek  natural- 
ist and  philosopher,  but  was  afterwards  altered  by  Linnaeus 
to  its  present  name  in  honour  of  Theophrastus. 

THERA.     A  wine.     See  Santorin. 

THESPIAN.     Pertaining  to  Thespis,  an  Athenian  poet, 

X 


306  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

who  lived  in  the  time  of  Solou,  about  535  B.C.,  and  Avho  is 
said  to  have  introduced  the  first  rudiments  of  a  tragic  stage  : 
hence  the  art  of  representing  tragedy  has  been  called  the 
Thesjncm  art. 

THOLOSAN  GOLD.  When  Coepio,  the  consul,  plundered 
the  town  of  Tholosa  (Toulouse),  in  Gaul,  and  found  vast 
quantities  of  gold  in  the  temples  of  the  place,  whoever  in  this 
plundering  had  touched  the  gold  is  said  to  have  pei'ished  by 
a  miserable  and  agonizing  death.  Hence  the  expression  Tho- 
losan  gold  became  a  proverb  by  Cicero  and  Strabo.  An 
account  may  be  found  in  Herodotus  of  a  calamity  which  perse- 
cuted certain  Scythians  who  were  engaged  in  a  similar  oiFence 
against  Venus,  by  plundering  one  of  her  temples.  Cf.  Aulus 
Gellius. 

THOMAISM  or  THOMISM.  The  doctrine  of  the  Tho- 
mists  or  followers  of  Thomas  Aquinas,  in  opposition  to  the 
Scotists,  with  respect  to  predestination  and  grace. 

THOMSONITE.  A  mineral  of  a  glassy  or  vitreous  lustre, 
consisting  of  silica,  alumina,  and  lime,  with  some  soda,  and 
fourteen  per  cent,  of  water.  The  mineral  comptonite  is  iden- 
tical with  this  species  {Dana)  ;  named  in  honour  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Thomson,  of  Glasgow,  the  celebrated  chemist  and 
mineralogist. 

THORIA  or  THORINA.  A  white  earthy  substance,  ob- 
tained by  Berzelius  in  1829  from  thorite,  q.v. 

THORITE.  A  massive  and  compact  mineral,  found  in 
Norway,  and  resembling  gadolinite ;  so  called  from  the  Scan- 
dinavian deity  Thor.     See  Thursday. 

THORIUM  or  THORINUM.  The  metallic  base  of 
thoria,  q.v. 

THRASONICAL.  Boastful,  bragging  ;  so  called  from 
Thraso,  the  braggart  in  the  Latin  comedies.  But  see  Terence's 
Eunuch. 

THUGGISM.  The  practices  of  the  Thugs,  in  India, 
robbers  and  assassins  of  a  peculiar  class,  who,  sallying  forth  in 
a  gang  of  smaller  or  larger  numbers,  and  in  the  character  of 
wayfarers,  either  on  business  or  pilgrimage,  fall  in  with  other 
travellers  on  the  road,  and,  having  gained  their  confidence, 


VEllBA    NOMINALIA.  307 

tako  a  favourable  opportunity  of  strangling  them  by  throwing 
their  turbans  or  handkerchiefs  round  their  necks,  and  then 
plundering  them  and  burying  their  bodies.  The  word  thug, 
thag,  signifies  primarily  a  knave,  an  impostor,  and  has  also  been 
applied  to  child-stealing  and  robbery  not  amounting  to  Dakaiti ; 
from  Hind,  thag,  thug  a  cheat.     Cf.  Wilson,  Ind.  Gloss. 

THULITE.  A  variety  of  epidote,  colour  peach-blossom, 
found  in  Norway;  doubtless  named  from  Thule,  i.e.  the  Ultima 
Thule  of  the  Romans,  denoting  the  northernmost  and  further- 
most part  of  the  habitable  world  ;  probably  Iceland. 

THUMITE.  A  mineral,  another  name  for  axinite,  occur- 
ring at  Thum,  near  Ehrenfriedersdorf,  in  Saxony. 

THURSDAY  (G-.  Donnerstag,  D.  Donderdag,  thunder-day, 
L.  Dies  Jovis,  It.  Giovedi,  Sp.  Jueves,  Fr.  Jeudi).  The  fifth  day 
of  the  week ;  from  Dan.  Torsdag,  i.e.  Thor's  day,  the  day  con- 
secrated to  Thor,  in  Scandinavian  mythology,  the  son  of  Odin 
and  Freya,  the  deity  that  pi-esided  over  all  mischievous  spirits 
in  the  elements,  the  god  of  thunder,  answering  to  the  Jove  of 
the  Greeks  and  Romans. 

TIGER  (L.  tigris,  Gr.  nypi;,  Fr.  tigre.  It.  tigro).  A  fierce 
and  rapacious  animal  of  the  genus  Felis,  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  terrible  of  the  genus,  inhabiting  Asia.  Some  derive  the 
word  from  Heb.  I^J  gir,  a  dart,  whence  'T'Jn  tiger.  According 
to  others,  this  animal  was  so  named  from  frequenting  the  banks 

of  the  Tigris,  a  river  of  Asiatic  Turkey. A  boy  in  livery 

who  rides  behind  his  master;  probably  named  from  his  activity, 
A  parasite. A  ferocious  woman. 

TILBURY.  A  kind  of  gig  or  two-wheeled  carriage  with- 
out a  top  or  cover  ;  named  from  the  person  who  first  manufac- 
tured or  let  it  out  to  hire. 

TILBURY  WATER.  An  acidulous  or  saline  water  issu- 
ing from  a  spring  near  a  farmhouse  at  West  Tilbury,  in  Essex. 
It  is  esteemed  for  removing  glandular  obstructions,  and  is 
recommended  in  scurveys  and  cutaneous  diseases. 

TIMOTHY  GRASS  (Fhleum  pratense,  meadow  cat's-tail 
grass).  A  grass  highly  extolled  by  many  agriculturists  for  the 
profusion  of  hay  which  it  makes,  and  also  for  its  rapid  growth 
when  depastured ;  so  called  from  a  person  of  the  name,  who 

X  2 


308  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

successfully  cultivated  it  in  North  America,  where  it  grows 
more  luxuriantly  than  any  other  kind  of  grass. 

TING-IS.  A  genus  of  insects  which  for  the  most  part  live 
by  pricking  the  leaves  of  plants ;  named  from  Tingis  (Tan- 
giers),  in  Africa,  where  this  insect  abounds. 

TINTAMAR.  A  hideous  or  confused  noise  \^not  in  use']. 
"  Bruit  eclatant  accompagne  de  tumulte,  de  desordre.  Faire 
un  grand  tintamarre.  Quel  tintamarre  !  H  y  a  trop  de  tinta- 
marre  la  dedans,  trop  de  brouillamini "  (Mol.)  Pasquier  de- 
rives the  word  from  tinter  (to  ring,  tingle),  and  marre  (mattock) ; 
"  parce  que  les  vignerous,  pour  s'avertir  mutuellement  que  le 
moment  de  quitter  le  travail  etait  venu,  frappaient,  tmtaient, 
sur  leur  marre  avec  une  pierre."  Ash  says  Fr.  tintamarre,  L. 
tinnitus,  ringing,  tinkling  ;  and  Mars. 

TIRONIAN  NOTES.  The  shorthand  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  the  usage  of  which  in  France  only  ceased  about  the 
tenth  century ;  said  to  have  been  named  after  Tullius  Tii'o, 
freedman  and  secretary  of  Cicero,  by  whom  it  was  either  in- 
vented or  perfected.  In  French  diplomacy  the  Tironian 
alphabet  is  an  alphabetical  and  explanatory  table  of  the  Tiro- 
nian notes. 

TITAN.  A  calcareous  earth  ;  said  to  have  been  so  named 
by  Klaproth  after  the  Titans.     See  Titanian. 

TITANIAN,  TITANIC,  TITANITIC.  Earth-born;  so 
called  fi'om  the  Titanes,  sons  of  Coelus  and  Terra,  who  were 
treated  with  great  cruelty  by  Coelus,  and  confined  in  the  bowels 
of  the  earth,  till  their  mother  pitied  their  misfortunes,  and 
armed  them  against  their  father. 

TITHONIC.  Pertaining  to  or  denoting  those  rays  of  light 
which  produce  chemical  effects  ;  doubtless  from  Tithonus,  son 
of  Laomedon,  who  was  so  beautiful  that  Aurora  became 
enamoured  of  him  and  carried  him  away. 

TOBACCO.  A  plant,  a  native  of  America,  of  the  genus 
Nicotiana,  much  used  for  smoking  and  chewing,  and  in  snuff. 
Some  derive  the  word  from  Tabasco,  in  Mexico.  Accord- 
ing to  others,  the  Spaniards  called  it  tobacco  from  Tabaco, 
Tobago,  or  Tobago,  an  island  in  the  Bay  of  Panama  (discovered 
by  Columbus  in  1496);   or,  as  others  style  it,  a  province  of 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  309 

Yucatan,  where  they  first  found  it  and  first  learnt  its  use. 
Rees  (Encyc.)  gives  Tobago,  one  of  the  Caribbee  Islands,  in 
the  West  Indies ;  Tobago  (Little),  a  small  island  near  the  east 
coast  of  Tobago ;  Tobacco  Key,  a  small  island  in  the  Bay  of 
Honduras,  near  the  coast  of  Yucatan. 

TOCCAVIENSIS  BOLUS.  Bole  of  Tokay,  in  the  Ma- 
teria Medica ;  a  fine  medicinal  earth,  dug  about  Tokay,  in 
Hungary,  and  esteemed  a  powerful  astringent.  Kentmau 
calls  it  the  Bolus  Pannonica  Vera;  and  Crato,  Bolus  Hunga- 
rica. 

TOKAY.  A  wine  made  at  Tokay,  in  Hungary,  of  white 
grapes  ;  distinguished  from  other  wines  by  its  aromatic  taste. 
This  wine,  which  is  said  to  be  produced  in  so  small  a  quantity 
as  never  to  be  genuine  unless  when  given  in  presents  by  the 
Court  of  Vienna,  is,  however,  a  common  dessert  wine  in  all 
the  great  families  at  Vienna  and  in  Hungary. 

TOLEDO.  A  sword  of  the  finest  temper ;  so  called  from 
Toledo,  in  Spain,  once  famous  for  its  swords  {B.  Jonson). 
There  is  still  a  sword  manufactory  there.  But  see  Ford's 
Spain. 

TOLU  BALSAM  (called  in  medicine,  balsam  of  Tolu).  A 
I'esin,  or  oleo-resin,  pi-oduced  by  a  tree  of  South  America,  the 
Myrospermum  toluiferum  ;  said  to  have  been  first  brought  from 
Tolu,  in  Venezuela. 

TOLUOLE.  An  oily  hydrocarbon  obtained  by  distillation 
from  balsam  of  Tolu,  q.v. 

.TOM  (OLD).     A   slang   appellation   for   gin;    said   to   be 
called  from  the  nickname  of  a  publican. 

TOM-AND-JERRY.  A  low  drinking  shop;  probably 
some  allusion  to  Pierce  Egan's  famous  characters  in  his  Life 
in  London. — J.  C.  Hotten, 

TOM    THUMB.     A  dwarf  geranium  so  called. 

TONTINE.  An  annuity  or  survivorship ;  or  a  loan  raised 
on  life  annuities,  with  the  benefit  of  survivorship.  Thus,  an 
annuity  is  shared  among  a  number,  on  the  principle  that  the 
share  of  each  at  his  death  is  enjoyed  by  the  survivors,  until 
at  last  the  whole  goes  to  the  last  survivor,  or  to  the  last  two  or 
three,  according  to  the  terms  on  which  the  money  is  advanced. 


310  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

The  term  is  derived  from  Lorenzo  Tonti,  a  Nefipolitan,  who 
originated  the  idea  in  1635,  and  who  introduced  it  into  France, 
wliere  tlie  first  tontine  was  opened  in  1653.  "  Tontines  have 
seldom  been  resorted  to  in  England  as  a  measure  of  finance. 
The  last  for  Avhich  the  government  opened  subscriptions  was 
in  1789.  The  terms  may  be  seen  in  Hamilton's  History  of  the 
Public  Revenue,  210.  There  have  been  numerous  private 
tontines  in  this  country,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect 
some  desirable  public  improvement,  the  whole  of  which  derive 
a  considerable  profit  from  their  investments  ?iow,  whilst  the  last 
survivor  becomes  the  sole  possessor  of  the  capital.  It  has  fre- 
quently been  applied  beneficially  towards  the  erection  of  great 
hotels,  such  as  the  Tontine  establishment  in  Glasgow,  of  which 
Mrs.  Douglas,  of  Orbiston,  who  died  on  the  28th  July,  1862, 
was  the  last  of  the  original  shareholders.  Hamilton  (p.  61) 
remarks  that  '  tontines  seem  adajited  to  the  passions  of  human 
nature,  from  the  hope  every  man  entertains  of  longevity,  and 
the  desire  of  ease  and  afiluence  in  old  age ;  and  they  are  bene- 
ficial to  the  public,  as  affording  a  discharge  of  the  debt,  although 
a  distant  one,  without  any  payment.' "  Cf.  N.  &  Q.  3rd  S.  ii. 
213.  "  The  tex'm  originated  from  the  circumstance  that  Lo- 
renzo Tonti,  an  Italian,  invented  this  kind  of  security  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  when  the  governments  of  Europe  had  some 
difficulty  in  raising  money  in  consequence  of  the  wars  of  Louis 
XIV.,  who  first  adopted  the  plan  in  France.  A  loan  was 
obtained  from  several  individuals  on  the  grant  of  an  annuity  to 
each  of  them,  on  the  understanding  that  as  deaths  occurred 
the  annuities  should  continue  payable  to  the  survivors,  and 
that  the  last  survivor  should  take  the  whole.  This  scheme 
was  adopted  by  other  nations  as  well  as  France,  but  was  not 
introduced  into  England  until  recently,  and  then  only  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  money  to  carry  j)rivate  speculations  into 
effect,  which  could  not  be  satisfactorily  accomplished  without 
a  combination  of  capital."  As  to  the  formation  of  such  a 
scheme,  see  Stone's  Benefit  Build.  Soc.  78. 

TOORKOMAN.  A  horse  said  to  be  preferable  for  service 
even  to  the  pure  Persian.  It  is  large,  standing  from  fifteen  to 
sixteen  hands  high  ;   swift  and  inexhaustible  under   fatigue, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  '6ll 

and  was  so  called  from  Turkistan,  which  has  been  celebrated 
from  very  early  times  for  producing  a  pure  and  valuable  breed 
of  horses. 

TOORKY.  A  horse,  of  beautiful  form,  graceful  action, 
and  docile  temper ;  originally  from  a  Toorkoman  and  a 
Persian. 

TOPHET.  Hell ;  so  called  from  a  place  east  of  Jerusalem, 
where  children  were  burnt  to  Moloch,  and  where  drums  were 
used  to  drown  their  cries;  from  Heb.  nsn  tophet,  from  Qii  iojyh, 
a  drum. 

TORG-AU.     A  very  fine  wine  from  Torgau,  on  the  Elbe. 

TORRELITE.  A  red  mineral  from  New  Jersey,  consist- 
ing principally  of  silica,  iron,  and  lime  ;  named  from  Dr. 
Torrey. 

TORRICELLIAN.  Pertaining  to  Torricelli,  an  Italian 
philosopher  and  mathematican,  who  discovered  the  true  prin- 
ciple on  which  the  barometer  is  constructed.  The  Torricellian 
tube  is  a  glass  tube,  thirty  or  more  inches  in  length,  open  at 
one  end,  and  hermetically  sealed  at  the  other,  such  as  is  used 
in  the  barometer.  A  Torricellian  vacuum  is  a  vacuum  pro- 
duced by  filling  with  mercury  a  tube  hermetically  closed  at 
one  end,  and,  after  immersing  the  other  end  in  a  vessel  of 
mercury,  allowing  the  enclosed  mercury  to  descend  till  it  is 
counterbalanced  by  the  weight  of  an  equal  column  of  the 
atmosphere,  as  in  the  barometer. 

TOURNOIS.  A  livre  Tournois  was  a  French  money  of 
account,  equal  to  twenty  sous,  or  a  franc ;  called  in  distinction 
from  the  Paris  livre,  which  contained  twenty-five  sous ;  so 
named  from  having  been  minted  at  Tours.  Tournois  was  also 
the  appellation  of  a  sous  equal  to  twelve  deniers,  the  Paris 
sous  being  valued  at  fifteen  deniers. 

TOURNOSER  or  TOURNOVER.  A  coin  minted  at 
Tours,  temp.  Philip  le  Bel  and  his  immediate  successors. 

TRAPPISTINE.  A  liqueur,  for  the  manufacture  of  which 
the  Abbey  of  Grace-Dieu,  near  Besangon,  in  France,  has  ac- 
quired considerable  reputation ;  so  named  from  the  Trappists, 
a  religious  order  founded  in  1140  in  the  valley  of  La  Trappe, 
and  still  existing  in  Normandy.      See  Globe,  20  Jan.  1865. 


312  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

TRATTINICKIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  cl.  Monoecia,  of 
only  one  species,  T.  rhoifolia,  native  of  Brazil ;  dedicated  by 
Willdenow  to  Dr.  Trattinick,  a  German  botanist. 

TRAUTVETTERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  cl.  Pohjandria, 
instituted  by  Fischer  and  Meyer  in  honour  of  E.  R.  Traut- 
vetter,  a  distinguished  botanist,  author  of  Monographs  of 
Echinops,  &c. 

TRAVERTIN.  A  white  concretionary  limestone,  usually 
hard  and  semi-crystalline,  deposited  from  the  water  of  springs 
holding  lime  in  solution.  It  was  called  by  the  ancients  Lapis 
Tiburtinus,  the  stone  being  found  in  great  quantity  by  the 
River  Anio,  at  Tibur,  near  Rome.  Some  suppose  travertin 
to  be  an  abbreviation  of  ti^asteverino,  from  transtiburtinus. — 
Lyell. 

TREBELLIANICK.  By  the  trehelUanich  portion  is  meant 
the  fourth  part  which  the  laws  appropriate  to  executors  who 
are  charged  with  a  universal  fiduciary  bequest  of  the  whole 
inheritance,  or  of  a  part  of  it ;  which  distinguishes  the  tre- 
hellianick  portion  from  the  falcidian  portion  ;  for  the  falcidian 
portion  relates  to  legacies,  and  to  particular  fiduciary  bequests 
of  certain  things.  It  was  so  called  from  a  decree  of  the 
Senate,  named  after  one  of  the  Consuls  of  the  year  in  which 
it  was  made,  ordaining  that  the  executor  who  should  be  charged 
to  restore  the  inheritance  to  the  fiduciary  substitute  should  be 
discharged  of  all  the  debts  and  burdens,  and  that  the  same 
should  pass  with  the  goods  to  the  substitute.  Domat,  Civil 
Law,  part  2,  lib.  v.  tit.  iv. 

TREMOLITE.  A  mineral,  a  white  variety  of  hornblende; 
called  from  the  valley  of  Tremolla,  in  the  Alps,  where  it  was 
discovered. 

TREPAN  or  TRAPAN.  To  ensnare;  to  catch  by  strata- 
gem ;  a  snare.  Webster  derives  it  from  Sax.  treppan,  from 
trap  (to  ensnare)  ;  others  from  rpvitavov,  which  Bailey  renders 
a  crafty  beguiler,  but  which  signifies  lit.  a  borer,  drill.  The 
usual  derivation  is  from  Trapani  (anc.  Drcpanum),  a  seaport 
of  Sicily,  where  some  English  ships  being  friendly  invited 
in,  in  stress  of  weather,  were  afterwards  detained,  contrary  to 
the  assurance  given  them. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  313 

TRIDENTINE.  Pertaining  to  Trent  (Tridentum),  in 
Southern  Tyrol,  or  the  celebrated  council  held  in  that  city. 

TRIPOLI.  A  powder  used  for  polishing  metals  and  stones, 
first  imported  from  Tripoli,  which,  as  well  as  a  certain  kind  of 
siliceous  stone  of  the  same  name,  has  been  lately  found  to  be 
composed  of  the  flinty  cases  of  infusoria. — Lyell. 

TRITON.  According  to  Linnasus,  a  genus  of  Mollusca,  of 
only  one  species,  having  the  body  oblong,  and  tentacula  or 
arms  twelve,  Avhich  inhabits  the  cavities  of  submarine  rocks  in 
Italy;  so  called  from  the  demi-god  Triton,  who  is  represented 

by  poets  and  painters  as  half  man  and  half  fish. A  genus 

of  batrachian  reptiles,  or  aquatic  salamanders,  comprehending 
numerous  species. 

TROPHONIAN.  Pertaining  to  the  Grecian  architect 
Trophonius,  or  his  cave,  or  his  architecture. — Dwight. 

TROY  or  TROY-WEIGHT.  A  weight  of  twelve  ounces 
in  the  pound,  by  which  gold  and  silver,  jewels,  medicines,  &c., 
are  weighed;  said  to  have  been  named  from  Troyes,  in  France, 
where  it  was  first  adopted.  According  to  others,  the  original 
name  was  tron. 

TUBA  EUSTACHIANA.  The  Eustachian  or  auditory 
tube  of  the  ear,-  first  described  by  Bartholomew  Eustachius,  an 
eminent  Italian  physician  of  the  sixteenth  century.  His 
Opuscula  Anatomica  was  published  by  Boerhaave  in  1707. 

TUESDAY  (Sw.  Tisdag,  Dan.  Tirsdag,  D.  Dingsdag,  A.  S. 
Tiwmdag  or  Tuesdwg).  The  third  day  of  the  week  ;  so  called 
from  Tig,  Tiig,  or  Tuisco,  the  Mars  of  the  Northern  nations, 
who  presided  over  combats,  strife,  and  litigation:  "hence," 
says  Webster,  "  Tuesday  is  coiirt  day,  assize  day,  the  day  for 
combat,  or  commencing  litigation." 

TULBAGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  SjJcttJiacece ; 
named  by  Linnieus  from  De  Tulbagh,  Governor  of  the  Cape, 
patron  of  botany,  who  sent  the  Cape  plants  to  the  brothers 
Burman,  in  Holland. 

TULLE,  A  kind  of  silk  open-work  or  lace ;  said  to  have 
been  originally  brought  from  Tulle,  in  France,  dep.  Correze. 
According  to  French  authors,  however,  there  is  not  and  never 
was  either  at  Tulle  or  in  the  environs  any   fabric  of  this  sort. 


314  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

There  is,  however,  a  place  iu  France  named  Toul,  on  the 
Moselle,  having  lace  manufactories. 

TUNISIAN  FALCON.     A  hawk  from  Tunis,  in  Africa. 

TURANIAN.  A  name  by  which  the  inhabitants  of  Iran 
designate  the  barbarians  of  the  North ;  a  term  frequently  but 
inappropriately  used  in  ethnology  and  philology.  Max  Miiller, 
speaking  of  the  Aryans,  says  that  the  etymological  signification 
of  Arya  seems  to  be,  "  one  who  ploughs  or  tills,"  and  is  con- 
nected with  the  root  of  arare ;  and  that  the  Aryans  would 
seem  to  have  chosen  this  name  for  themselves  as  opposed  to 
the  nomadic  races,  the  Turanians,  whose  original  name,  Tura, 
implies  tlie  swiftness  of  the  horseman. 

TURCISM,  TURKISHNESS.  Religion,  manners,  &c.,  of 
the  Turks.  "  He  [Dr.  Cox]  grounds  his  following  discourse 
upon  the  probability  of  the  fall  of  Turcism,  and  the  hopes  of 
the  further  propagation  of  the  Christian  religion ;  and  the 
necessity  of  unity  and  concord  of  Christendom "  (Strype, 
Eccles.  Mem.  Hen.  VIII.  an.  1536).  "  Contemnynge  of  know- 
ledge and  learninge,  settinge  at  nought,  and  having  for  a  fable, 
God  and  His  highe  providence,  will  bi'inge  us,  I  say,  to  a  more 
ungracious  Turkishnes,  if  more  Turkishnes  can  be  than  this? 
than  if  the  Turkes  had  sworne  to  brynge  all  Turkye  against  us  " 
(Ascham,  Toxophiles,  b.  i.) 

TURKEY.  A  domestic  bird,  the  Meleagris  of  Linnaeus ; 
said  to  have  been  so  called  from  being  brought  from  India 
through  Persia  and  Turkey.  It  is,  however,  a  native  of 
America.  Its  French  name  is  dinde,  dindon,  from  D'Inde,  i.e. 
from  India. 

TURKEY  BUZZARD.  In  America,  a  common  species  of 
vulture,  having  a  distant  resemblance  to  a  turkey. 

TURKEY  RED.  A  fine  durable  red,  dyed  with  madder 
upon  calico  or  woollen  cloth. 

TURKEY  STONE.  Another  name  of  the  oil-stone; 
brought  from  Turkey. 

TURKOPHONE.  A  new  musical  instrument  invented  by 
Ali  Ben  Squalle ;  from  Turk,  and  <f)a;vij  sound. 

TURK'S  CAP.  A  plant  of  the  genus  Lilium  ;  and  also  of 
the  genus  Melocactus. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  315 

TURK'S  HEAD.  Name  of  plants  of  the  genera  Mammil- 
laria  and  Melocactus. 

TURK'S   TURBAN.     A  plant  of  the  genus  Banunenlus. 

TURLUPINADE.  A  term  used  chiefly  among  the  French 
for  a  low  jest  or  witticism ;  said  to  be  derived  from  Turhqym, 
a  celebrated  comedian  of  Paris,  whose  talent  consisted  mainly 
in  raising  a  laugh  by  miserable  puns  and  quibbles. 

TURNERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  which  Miller  enume- 
rates two,  and  Linnaeus  four  species ;  named  after  Turner,  the 
naturalist. 

TURNERITE.  A  rare  mineral,  occurring  in  small  crystals 
of  a  yellowish-brown  colour,  found  only  on  Mount  Sorel,  in 
Dauphine ;  named  in  honour  of  Mr.  Turner,  in  whose  collec- 
tion it  was  first  found. 

TURPINIA.  A  small  genus  of  trees,  nat.  fam.  Celastrinece, 
common  in  the  West  Indies,  India,  and  China;  named  after 
Turpin. 

TURQUOISE  (Fr.  turquoise).  A  mineral,  called  also 
calaite,  of  a  bluish-green  colour ;  when  highly  coloured,  much 
used  as  a  gem.  Pedro  Teueira  says  this  stone  Avas  brought 
from  Nixabar,  a  province  of  Persia,  bordering  on  Turkistan, 
whence  it  was  called  Turkoise.  Others  assert  the  Fr.  word 
was  named  from  its  blue  colour,  the  favourite  one  of  the 
Turks,  whence  the  It.  word  turchino,  blue.  Cf.  La  Crusca  and 
Scaliger.  Webster  writes  turhois.  Bailey  says,  "  Tureoise,  a 
precious  stone  of  an  azure  colour ;  so  called  because  brought 
to  us  from  the  Turks." 

TURR^A.  An  evergreen  tree  or  shrub,  of  five  species, 
found  by  Koenig  among  heaps  of  scorice  or  worn-out  volcanoes 
in  the  East  Indies ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in  honour  of  Giorgio 
a  Turre,  author  of  a  History  of  Plants,  Padua,  1585. 

TUTENAG  (sometimes  called  Tooth  and  Egg  Metal). 
Chinese  copper,  an  alloy  of  copper,  zinc,  and  nickel,  or  spelter. 
The  Rev.  Thos.  Boys  says,  although  what  we  now  call  Ger- 
man silver,  which  is  one  of  many  alloys  that  have  been  termed 
tutenag,  does  not  appear  to  have  been  made  in  Europe  till 
about  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  that  various 
alloys  resembling  in  appearance  German  silver,  and  known  by 


316  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

the  name  of  white  copper  (iveiss  kupfei-'),  were  made  in  Ger- 
many long  before  ;  that  the  Portuguese,  meeting  with  a 
similar  article  in  their  early  commerce  with  India  and  China, 
would  at  once  be  struck  with  the  resemblance,  and,  speaking 
by  their  own  language,  would  naturally  call  it  prata  Teutonica 
(German  silver);  that  Teutonica  thus  becomes  the  trade  name 
of  the  Eastern  article,  and  in  due  time  comes  back  to  Europe, 
transmuted  into  tutenag ;  that  tutenag  is  also  called  tutenago 
[Enci/c.,  and  Bechnann)  and  tutenaga  (^Moraes),  and  that  these 
last  two  forms  represent  the  Portuguese  masculine  and  femi- 
nine:— metal  Teutonico,  m.  (German  metal);  prata  Teutonica,  f. 

(German  silver), "  A  watch-maker  of  Nottingham,  named 

Tutin,  made  articles  from  it,  whence  they  are  often,  but  in- 
correctly, called  Tutinic  ware  "  (S.  F.  Creswell). A  name 

given  in  India  to  zinc  or  spelter. 

TWEED.  A  light  woollen  stuff,  used  for  summer  coating  ; 
a  milled  Scotch  trousering  or  wrapper  worn  by  shepherds  and 
others ;  said  to  derive  its  name  from  the  Tweed,  a  river  of 
Scotland  and  England  ;  perhaps  because  first  manufactured  on 
its  banks. 

TYBURN  TICKET.  A  certificate  given  to  the  prosecutor 
on  the  capital  conviction  of  a  criminal,  by  virtue  of  the  10  & 
11  Wm.  Ill,  c.  23,  s.  2,  which  exempted  the  prosecutor  "from 
all  manner  of  parish  and  ward  offices  within  the  parish  where- 
in such  felony  was  committed ;  which  certificate  shall  be  en- 
rolled with  the  clerk  of  the  peace  of  the  county,  on  payment 
of  Is.,  and  no  more."  This  Act  was  repealed  by  58  Geo.  III. 
c.  70  (3rd  June,  1 8 1 8),  a  fact,  however, which  seems  to  have  been 
afterwards  ignored.  A  correspondent  of  Notes  and  Queries 
remarks,  "In  the  autumn  of  1856  I  was  on  the  jury  at  New- 
gate. On  that  occasion  Mr.  Pratt,  armourer,  of  Bond  Street, 
claimed  and  obtained  exemption  from  serving  on  the  jury  by 
reason  of  his  possession  of  a  Tyburn  ticket."  The  editor  of 
N.  &  Q.  (25  Dec.  1858,  p.  529)  says,  "Mr.  George  Phillips, 
late  of  Charlotte  Street,  Bloomsbury,  and  now  residing  in 
Kingsgate  Street,  Theobald's  Road,  was  the  last  individual 
who  received  the  Tyburn  ticket  for  a  burglary  committed  by 


VERBA   NOMINALIA.  317 

two  housebreakers  on  his  premises.     This  ticket  was  purchased 
of  Mr.  Phillips  by  the  late  Mr.  Pfeil,  of  Holborn." 

TYCHONIC.  Pertaining  to  or  designating  the  system  of 
Tycho  Brahe  the  astronomer,  a  noble  Dane,  born  a.d.  1546. 
The  Tychonic  system  partly  restored  that  of  Ptolemy,  concern- 
ing the  earth  remaining  at  rest  whilst  the  other  heavenly 
bodies  moved  round  it. 

TYPHEAN.  Pertaining  to  Typhteus,  the  fabled  giant 
with  a  hundred  heads. 

TYRANT  (L.  tyrannus,  GrV.i'vpa.vvoQ).  A  cruel  master;  an 
oppressor.  According  to  Liddell  and  Scott,  rvpavvoq  is  strictly 
Doric  for  -KfupoivoQ,  from  wj^oq,  Kupio;,  a  lord,  master.  Can* 
(Lucian)  says  the  Tyrreheni  were  a  mischievous  people,  very 
troublesome  to  the  Athenians ;  and  that  from  their  name  it  is 
pretended  was  derived  the  word  tyrant,  which  was,  however, 
in  better  repute  than  its  original,  being  for  some  time  synonym- 
ous for  king.  "  We  will  not  inquire  whether  Turk,  the  grand- 
son of  Japhet  (who  gave  his  name  to  the  nation),  was  or  was 
not  the  Targitaos  of  Herodotus,  and  the  Togarmah  of  Scrip- 
ture. But  it  is  more  curious  that  the  name  of  the  people 
found  its  way  into  the  language  of  the  Greeks  in  a  sense  of 
prognosticating  evil.  The  ancient  Persians,  who  called  their 
own  country  Iran  and  every  other  country  Aniran,  gave  to  the 
land  beyond  the  Oxus  the  name  of  Turan  ;  the  inhabitants  of 
this  country  were  proverbial  among  the  Persians  for  their 
rudeness  and  ferocity,  as  the  Scythians  and  Thracians  among 
the  Greeks  and  Romans ;  from  thence  the  Asiatic  Greeks 
borrowed  the  word  rv^acvvos,  so  that  the  word  tyrant,  traced  to 
its  primitive  signification,  means  a  Turk "  (For.  Quar.  Rev. 
iv.  239). 

TYRIAN.  Of  a  purple  colour ;  so  called  from  Tyre,  a 
celebrated  city  on  the  coast  of  Phcenicia,  where  the  Tyrian 
dye  was  made. 

TYROLITE.  A  mineral,  colour  apple-green,  verdigris- 
green,  inclining  to  sky-blue,  found  at  Falkenstein,  near 
Schwatz,  and  other  places  in  the  Tyrol ;  also  in  Hungary,  &c. 


318  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 


U. 


ULLMANITE.  Phosphate  of  manganese  and  iron,  occur- 
ring massive  at  Limoges,  in  France ;  analysed  by  Ulhnann. 

ULSTER.  A  name  given  to  one  of  the  kings  at  arms. 
Edw.  VI.  in  his  journal  makes  the  following  note : — "  Feb. 
There  was  a  king  at  arms  made  for  Ireland,  whose  name  was 
Ulster,  and  his  province  was  all  Ireland."  This  must  mean 
that  Ulster  was  his  title,  which  he  derived  from  the  province 
of  that  name  in  Ireland. 

ULTIMA  THULE  (L.)  The  utmost  stretch  or  boundary; 
so  called  from  Thule,  the  name  given,  in  early  history,  to  the 
northernmost  part  of  the  habitable  world ;  and  supposed  to 
refer  either  to  Iceland  or  to  one  of  the  Shetland  Isles. 

UNION  JACK.  "  The  British  flag  consists  of  the  crosses 
of  St.  George,  St.  Andrew,  and  St.  Patrick,  united ;  but  the 
etymology  of  the  term  Union  jack  has  never,  it  is  presumed, 
been  explained,  for  it  does  not  occur  in  any  lexicon  or  glossary. 
The  word  Union  obviously  arose  from  the  event  to  which 
the  flag  owes  its  origin  (the  union  of  Ireland  in  1801);  the 
only  difliculty,  therefore,  is  as  to  the  expression  '  Jack.'  As 
the  alteration  in  the  banner  of  St.  George  occurred  in  the 
reign  of  James  I.,  it  may  with  great  probability  be  supposed 
to  be  a  corruption  of  Jacques.  If,  however,  this  hypothesis  be 
rejected  the  following  is  submitted : — English  soldiers  were 
formerly  accustomed  to  wear  the  cross  of  St.  George  on  their 
upper  garment,  and  as  it  appears  from  early  writers  that  the 
upper  dress  of  a  horseman,  and,  according  to  others,  a  coat  of 
mail  was  called  Jack,  it  admits  of  the  inference  that  a  small 
flag  containing  the  cross  in  question  was  termed  a  Jack  when 
used  at  sea  after  the  banner,  which,  more  properly  speaking,  is 
confined  to  the  field,  fell  into  comparative  disuse.  The  former 
of  these  conjectures  ajDpears,  however,  the  more  probable."  Sir 
Harris  Nicolas's  Naval  and  Military  Mag.  1827. 

URALIC.  A  name  given  to  the  languages  of  the  Finnic 
tribes,  from  it  being  generally  supposed  that  the  original  seat 
of  such  tribes  was  in  the  Ural  Mountains. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  319 

URANIA,     A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or,  Jihisacece  ;  named 

after  Urania,  one  of  the  Muses. A  genus  of  lepidopterous 

insects. 

URANITE,  URAN  MICA,  or  URAN  GLIMMER.  An 
oi"e  of  uranium,  colour  bright  green  or  yellow.     See  Uranium. 

URANIUM.  A  metal,  colour  reddish  brown,  discovered 
by  Klaproth  in  1789,  in  pitchblende;  perhaps  named  after 
Uranus,  the  same  as  Coelus,  the  most  ancient  of  all  the  gods, 
whose  children  conspired  against  him  because  he  confined 
them  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth.     But  see  Urania. 

URANUS.  One  of  the  primary  planets ;  the  name  now 
generally  given  to  the  planet  discovered  in  1781  by  Dr.  Her- 
schell,  and  by  him  called  Georgium  Sidus ;  by  others,  Herschell. 
So  called  from  Uranus,  otherwise  Coelus,  the  most  ancient  of 
all  the  gods,  who  married  Terra.  A  better  name  would  have 
been  Urania,  the  Muse  who  presided  over  astronomy. 

UTOPIA.  A  word  now  used  in  all  the  European  languages 
to  signify  a  state  of  ideal  perfection ;  a  term  invented  by  Sir 
Thomas  More  (from  Gr.  ovroitog,  no  place),  and  applied  to  an 
imaginary  isle,  which  he  represents  as  enjoying  the  greatest 
perfection  in  politics,  laws,  &c. 

UTOPIAN.  Ideal,  chimerical,  fanciful,  not  well  founded. 
See  Utopia. 

UTOPIANISM.  Chimerical  schemes  in  theory  or  practice. 
— Chalmers.     See  Utopia. 


V. 


VACHELLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species, 
V.  Farnesiana,  the  Acacia  Farnesiana,  a  small  tree,  native  of 
India;  dedicated  by  Wright  and  Arnott  to  Rev.  H.  G.  H. 
Vachell,  who  has  lately  made  the  botany  of  China  better 
known  to  Europeans,  by  means  of  specimens. 

VAHLIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  cl.  Pentandria,  of  seven 
species,  natives  of  Africa ;  dedicated  by  Thunberg  to  Martin 
Vahl,  professor  of  botany  at  Copenhagen,  author  of  several 
botanical  works. 


320  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

VALANCE.  A  piece  of  drapery  hanging  round  the  tester 
and  head  of  a  bed,  and  also  from  the  head  of  window  curtains 

''  Valance  of  Venice  gold  in  needlework." — T.  of  the  Shrew. 
"  Thy  face  is  valanc^d  since  I  saw  thee  last." — Hamlet. 

Webster  qu,  Fr.  avalant,  falling ;  Norm,  valaunt,  descending. 
Bailey  derives  the  Avord,  which  he  writes  valences  and  vallens, 
from  Falenzana,  in  Italy.  Skinner  gives  "  Valenzana  del  letto, 
from  Valentia  (Valencia),  a  town  in  Italy  and  Spain."  There 
is  also  Valenza,  in  Sardinia ;  and  Valence  and  Valencia  are 
names  of  several  places  in  Continental  Europe. 

VALANTIA.  An  annual  with  smooth  stem  and  leaves, 
native  of  Italy  and  the  south  of  France ;  named  by  Tourne- 
fort  in  honour  of  Sebastien  Vaillant,  an  eminent  French 
botanist,  demonstrator  at  the  botanic  garden  at  Paris,  author 
of  several  works  on  botany,  who  died  in  1722. 

VALDEPENAS.  A  red  wine  from  Valdepeiias,  between 
Granada  and  Madrid ;  the  produce  of  the  Burgundy  vine, 
transplanted  into  Spain. 

VALENCIANITE  (of  Breithaupt).  A  mineral,  a  variety 
of  adularia  ;  named  from  the  Mexican  mine  Valenciana. 

VALENCIENNES.  A  rich  lace,  from  Valenciennes,  a 
town  of  France,  dep.  Nord. 

VALENTINE.  A  sweetheart  or  choice  made  on  Valen- 
tine's Day  {Wotton). A    letter    containing  professions   of 

love  or  affection,  sent  by  one  young  person  to  another  on 
Valentine's  Day  {Burton).  The  term  is  also  now  applied  to 
caricatures  sent  in  jest  on  the  14th  February,  Valentine's  Day, 
in  the  Roman  Church,  a  day  sacred  to  St.  Valentine.  "  It 
was,"  says  Webster,  "  a  very  old  notion,  alluded  to  by  Shak- 
speare,  that  on  this  day  birds  begin  to  couple.  Hence,  per- 
haps, arose  the  custom  of  sending  on  this  day  letters  contain- 
ing professions  of  love  and  affection." 

"  Saint  Valentine  is  past,  begin  these  wood-birds  but  to  couple  now." — 
M.  N.'s  Dr. 

In  the  following  passage  in  Bacon's  Descriptio  Globi  Intellectu- 


VERBA    NOMINA LI A.  321 

alis,  c.  6,  the  fantastic  speculations  of  the  modern  Platonists 
are  compared  to  "  the  images  and  dreams  of  Valentine ;"  and 
some  of  the  customs  (the  most  prevalent  of  which   seems  to 
have  been  that  of  drawing  lots  for  lovers)  connected  with  St. 
Valentine's  Day,  seem  to  be  alluded  to:  '  De  ccclis  vero  et 
spatiis  immateriatis,  religioni  omnino  standum  et  permittendum. 
Quae  enim  a  Platonicis,  et  nuper  a  Patricio  (ut  diviniores  sili- 
cet  habeantur  in  philosophia)  dicuntur.  non  sine  superstitione 
magna  et  jactantia,  et  quasi  mente  turbata,  deuique  ausu  nimio, 
fructu  nullo,  similia   Valentini  iconibus  et  somniis ;   ea  nos  pi'o 
rebus  commentitiis  et  levibus   habemus '"  (YoL  xi.   21,    ed. 
Montagu),      [The  Neo-Platonic  philosopher  mentioned  in  this 
passage  was  Francis  Patricius,  or  Patrizzi,  who  was  born  in 
1529,  and  died  at  Rome  in  1597].     A  correspondent  of  Notes 
and  Queries  (3rd  S.  iii.  128)  says,  "  How  this  Saint  \_Valentine'] 
came  to  be  chosen  as  the  patron  of  lovers  seems  to  be  still  a 
vexata  qucestio,  but  I  think  that  some  light  may  be  thrown  on 
the  subject  by  the  fact  that  vaJantin  is  still  used  in  Normandy 
in  the  sense  of  siveetheart.     Frederic  Pluqnet,  a  well-known 
Norman  antiquary,  in  a  small  brochure  on  the  popular  Tales, 
Patois,  &c.,  of  Bayeux,  explains  the  word  valantin  as  signify- 
ing 'petit  galant;  le  v  pour  le  g ;'  and  in  a  tale  by  a  modern 
French  novelist,  Emile  Souvestre,  the  scene  of  which  is  laid 
in  Normandy,  and  in  which  the  dialect  of  that  province  is 
occasionally  introduced,  both  valantin  and  galantin  are  used  in 
this  sense.     There  can  be  no  doubt  that  galant  and  vaillant  are 
both   derived   from  the  Latin  valens,  and  our   English  word 
gallant,  with    a   distinguishing    accentuation,    combines    both 
meanings.      Valantin   being    thus    so    closely    identified    with 
galant,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  how  a  saint  with  such  a  name  as 
Valentine,  and  whose  feast  occurs  at  a  time  when  all  living 
nature  inclines  to  couple,  should  have  been  fixed  upon  as  the 
patron  of  lovers.     I  have  not  been  able  to  find  any  satisfactory 
reason  for  believing  that  he  was  so  honoured  elsewhere  than 
in  G-reat  Britain  and  France.     The  assertion  of  some  writers 
that  the  custom  of  choosing  valentines  had  its  origin  in  heathen 
times,  and  was  attempted  to  be  turned  to  a  religious  purpose 
by  the  Saint,  seems  to  want  confirmation.     If  this  was  the 

V 


322  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

case,  traces  of  the  custom  would  surely  be  found  in  other 
Christian  countries."      Another  correspondent  of   Notes  and 
Queries  (3rd  S.  iii.  169)  says,  "The  assertion  that  the  custom 
of  choosing  valentines  was  attempted  to  be  turned  to  a  reli- 
gious purpose  by  St.  Valentine,  seems  to  want  confirmation,  or, 
rather,  has  no  foundation  at  all.     Indeed,  thei'e  is  no  connection 
whatever  between  the  custom  of  valentines  and  the  history  of 
the  saint  himself.     We  know  but  little  of  him,  as  is  the  case 
with  many  early  martyrs  and  other  saints.     He  was  a  priest  at 
Rome,  and  celebrated  as  an  illustrious  martyr  under  Claudius 
II.  about  the  year  270,  on  the  14th  February,  having  been  put 
to  death  for  assisting  the  martyrs ;  but  nothing  is  recorded  of 
this  saint  that  could  in  any  way  connect  him  with  the  obser- 
vances in  question.     That  the  custom,  however,  of  choosing 
valentines  had  its  origin  in  heathen  times  may  be  safely  said 
to  need  no  confirmation.     Every  one  read  in  Roman  history  is 
acquainted  with  the  festival  of  the  Lupercalia,  on  the  15th  of 
February,  in  honour  of  Pan,  when  the  young  men  used  to  run 
about  the  streets  and  whip  all  whom  they  met,  and  particularly 
the  women,  who  willingly  submitted  to  the  whip,  under  the 
belief  that  it  imparted  fecundity  and  promoted  safe  delivery. 
But  this  feast  was  also  kept  in  honour  of  Juno,  who  was  called 
from  it  Februata,  Februalis,  and  FebruUa,  as  Mr.  Douce  ob- 
serves  in   his   Illustrations   of   Shakespeare.     The    names   of 
young  women  were  drawn  out  of  a  box  by  young  men,  and 
some  Christian  pastors,  though  not  St.  Valentine  himself,  sub- 
stituted the  names  of  saints   to  be  drawn  instead  of  those  of 
young  women,  and   fixed  upon  St.  Valentine's  Day,  as  occur- 
ring about  the  middle  of  the  month,  the  time  of  the  Lupercalia. 
The  pagan  customs,  however,  still  prevailed,  as  in  too  many 
other  instances,  though  the  pastors  of  the  church  have  re- 
peatedly laboured  to  suppress  them,  or  at  least  to  divert  them 
to  innocent  and  holy  purposes.     Thus  St.  Francis  of  Sales 
severely    condemned   the    profane    custom    of  valentines,    and 
laboured  to  substitute  for  them  papers  with  the  names  of  saints 
proposed  for  imitation.     In  many  religious  houses  these  billets 
are  regularly  drawn   for   on   St.   Valentine's   Day,   and  each 
member  of  the  community  preserves  the  billet  during  the  year. 


VERBA    NOMINALTA.  323 

as  an  excitement  to  invoke  the  saint's  intercession,  and  to 
imitate  his  virtues,  the  principal  of  which  are  noted  upon  the 
paper.  It  is  stated  that  the  earliest  poetical  valentines  known 
were  composed  by  Charles  Duke  of  Orleans,  who  was  taken 
prisoner  at  Agincourt  in  1415,  and  wrote  them  in  the  Tower 
of  London.  They  are  preserved  in  MS.  in  the  British 
Museum.  John  Lydgate  alludes  to  the  custom  o?  valentines  in 
a  poem  in  praise  of  Queen  Catherine  in  1440.  The  day  is 
observed  with  different  practices  in  different  places.  In  Nor- 
wich it  has  grown  into  a  monstrous  and  almost  universal  system 
of  giving  and  receiving  presents,  which  prevails  nowhere  else, 
or  is  at  least  of  only  partial  observance  in  other  places." 

VALENTINIA.  A  herb,  flowers  usually  of  a  deep  rose 
colour,  but  varying  to  pale  flesh-colour  and  white,  native  of 
France,  Switzerland,  Italy,  the  Levant,  and  Barbary.  It  Avas 
named  by  Dr.  Schwartz  in  memory  of  two  Avriters  named 
Valentini,  both  of  whom  contributed  to  botanical  information. 
One  of  them  (Michael  Bernhard  Valentini)  was  professor  of 
medicine  at  Giessen,  and  author  of  several  works  on  natural 
history. 

VALERIAN.  A  plant  of  the  genus  Valeriana.  The  root 
of  the  officinal  valerian  has  a  strong  smell,  is  very  attractive  to 
cats  and  rats,  and  is  much  used  in  medicine.  The  genus 
Valeriana  is  a  native  of  France,  Switzerland,  Italy,  the  Le- 
vant, and  Barbary.  Some  derive  its  name  from  valor,  or 
valentia,  or  from  valere.  According  to  others,  it  was  so  called 
from  Valerius,  Avho  first  used  it  as  a  medicine,  or  who  first 
particularly  described  it.     See  Miller. 

VALLANCY.  A  large  wig  that  shades  the  face,  mentioned 
by  Dryden  ;  perhaps  from  same  root  as  valance. 

VALLISNERIA.  A  genus  of  aquatic  plants,  nat.  or.  Hy- 
drocharacece ;  named  by  Micheli  after  the  naturalist  Antonio 
Vallisneri,  F.R.S.,  &c.,  professor  of  medicine  at  Padua,  archi« 
ater  to  Emp.  Chas.  VI.,  author  of  Opere  Fisico-Mediche. 

VALLS.     A  wine  from  Vails,  in  Catalonia. 

VALONIA.  A  species  of  acorn,  produced  in  the  Morea 
and  the  Levant,  and  used  by  tanners.  Rees  says,  "  Velani, 
sometimes  called  valonia,  a  name  given  by  the  modern  Greeks 

Y  2 


324  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

to  the  acorns  of  a  species  of  oak  denominated  the  Velanida." 
The  word  is  probably  derived  from  Valona,  Avlona,  Aulona 
(anc.  Anion),  a  town  of  European  Turkey,  Albania.  On 
referring  to  Blackie,  I  find  I  am  confirmed  in  this  etymology. 
He  says  the  exports  of  Valona  consist  chiefly  of  salt,  pitch 
from  the  mines  of  Selenitza,  olive-oil,  wool,  gall-nuts,  and 
valo7iia. 

VANADATE  or  VANADIATE.  A  compound  of  vanadic 
acid  and  a  base.     See  Vanadium. 

VANADIC  ACID.  A  compound  of  vanadium  and  oxygen, 
in  the  proportion  of  one  equivalent  of  vanadium,  and  three  of 
oxygen. 

VANADINITE.  The  mineral  vanadate  of  lead,  occurring 
in  yellowish  and  brownish  hexagonal  crystals. 

VANADIUM.  A  metal,  colour  white,  extremely  brittle, 
much  resembling  silver ;  discovered  by  Sefstrom  in  1830,  and 
named  after  Vanadis,  a  Scandiuavian  deity. 

VANCOUVERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  known 
species,  native  of  north-west  coast  of  America  ;  named  by 
Decaisne  in  honour  of  the  celebrated  circumnavigator  Van- 
couver. 

VANDAL.  One  hostile  to  the  arts  and  literature  ;  one 
ignorant  and  barbarous ;  so  called  from  the  Vandals,  one  of 
the  most  barbarous  of  the  northern  nations  that  invaded  Rome 
in  the  fifth  century,  notoriously  for  destroying  the  monuments 
of  art  and  literature. 

VANDALIC.  Ferocious,  rude,  barbarous ;  like  the  Van- 
dals.    See  Vandal. 

VANDALISM.  Ferocious  cruelty ;  hostility  to  the  arts 
and  literature;  the  spirit  or  conduct  of  Vandals.  See  Vandal. 
VANDELLIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  very  many  species, 
principally  natives  of  the  East  Indies  and  other  parts  of  Asia; 
dedicated  by  P.  Browne  to  Dominico  Vandelli,  professor  of 
natural  history  at  Lisbon. 

VANDYKE.  A  small  round  covering  for  the  neck,  worn 
by  females,  as  seen  in  portraits  by  Van  Dyck,  temp.  Chas.  I.: 
hence  articles  of  dress  are  vandyked  when  ornamented  with  a 
kind  of  notch-work.     "  At  Cambridge  University,  a  drunken 


VERBA    NOMINA LIA.  325 

person  is  said  to  vandyhe  when  he  zig-zags   from  one  side  of 
the  pavement  to  anotlier  "  (^S.  F.  C.) 

VARINAS.  A  celebrated  tobacco  from  Varinas,  a  town 
and  prov.  of  Venezuela,  South  America. 

VARRONIA.  A  genus  of  plants  of  several  species,  natives 
of  the  West  Indies,  Santa  Cruz,  Carthagena,  Curapao,  China, 
and  the  Caraccas  ;  named  by  Browne  after  Marcus  Terentius 
Varro,  one  of  the  most  learned  of  the  Romans,  author  of  De 
Re  Rustica. 

VARSOVIENNE.  A  celebrated  dance ;  named  from 
Warsaw,  in  Poland,  where  it  probably  originated. 

VARVICITE.  An  ore  of  manganese,  occurring  massive  at 
Hartshill,  in  Warwickshire,  and  in  2:)seudo-crystals  at  Ilfeld ; 
named  from  locality,  Faryac?7e  being  a  softening  of  Wanvickite. 

VAUDEVILLE.  In  the  French  theatre,  a  piece  whose 
dialogue  is  intermingled  with  light  or  comic  songs ;  but  ori- 
ginally a  song  common  among  the  vulgar,  and  sung  about  the 
streets  ;  a  ballad ;  a  trivial  strain.  Some  assert  that  the 
vaudeville  is  a  song,  Qui  va  par  la  ville ;  others  derive  the  word 
from  voix  de  ville.  Accox'ding  to  others,  the  "  French  aval  or 
avau  is  a  phrase  among  navigators  implying  the  reverse  of 
amont ;  avau  de  Veau  is  used  adverbially  to.  express  drifting 
down  a  stream  ('  Personne  ne  ramoit,  nous  nous  laissions  aller 
a  vau  de  I'eau');  and  vaudeville  was  originally  applied  to 
designate  any  song  or  ballad  borne  along  the  current  of  town 
gossip  or  popularity — '  a  vau  de  villeJ'  "  The  correct  etymology 
is  from  Vaux-de-Vire,  in  Normandy,  where  the  vaudeville  first 
originated.  Menage  says,  "  Vaudeville,  sorte  de  chansons  par 
corruj)tion  an  lieu  de  Vaudevire.  C'est  ainsi  qu'on  appelloit 
anciennement  ces  chansons ;  parce  qu'elles  furent  inventees 
par  Olivier  Basselin,  qui  etoit  un  foullon  de  Vire,  en  Nor- 
mandie,  et  qu'elles  furent  premierement  chantees  au  Vaudevire, 
qui  est  le  nom  d'un  lieu  proche  de  la  ville  de  Vire."  Charles 
de  Bourgueville  (Antiquites  de  Caen),  speaking  of  Vire,  says, 
"  C'est  aussi  le  pays  d'oii  sont  procedez  les  chansons  que  Ton 
appelle  Vaux-de-Vire  :  comme  ces-deux  : 

'  Helas  !  Olivier  Basselin, 
En  la  Duche  de  Norinandie, 
II  y  a  si  grand'  pillerie,  &c.' 


326  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Jan  Vauquelin,  Sr.  de  la  Fresnaye,  pere  de  Mr.  Des-Yveteaux, 
precepteur  de  Louis  XIII. : 

'  Je  ne  puis  sans  horreur  ouir  qu'au  Vau-de-vire, 
Ou  jadis  on  souloit  ies  belles  chansons  dire, 
D'Olivier  Basselin,  &c.'  " 

Du  Bois  says,  "  Le  Vau-de-Vire  (car  ce  n'est  que  par  corrup- 
tion que  depuis  on  a  dit  Vaudeville)  tire  son  nom  des  Vaux  de 
la  riviere  de  Vire,  ou  cliantait  si  gaiment  Basselin.  Ainsi  c'est 
encore  a  la  Normandie,  qui  a  vu  naitre  presque  tons  nos  pre- 
miers auteurs  fameux,  que  Ton  est  redevable  d'Olivier  Basselin 
et  du  Vau-de-Vire.  II  est  incontestable  que  la  vaudeville  est 
d'origine  Norraaude."  Dibdin,  in  his  account  of  Vire  in  Nor- 
mandy, gives  the  foUovfing  note  on  the  Vaudevires  of  Olivier 
Basselin : — "  The  present  seems  to  be  the  proper  place  to  give 
the  reader  some  account  of  this  once  famous  bacchanalian  poet. 
It  is  not  often  that  France  rests  her  pretensions  to  poetical 
celebrity  upon  such  claims.  Love,  romantic  adventures,  gaiety 
of  heart  and  of  disposition,  form  the  chief  materials  of  her 
minor  poems ;  but  we  have  before  us,  in  the  person  and  pro- 
ductions of  Olivier  Basselin,  a  rival  to  Anacreon  of  old,  to 
our  own  Richard  Braithwait,  Vincent  Bourne,  and  Thomas 
Moore."  ..."  Basselin  appears  to  have  been  a  Virois  ; 
in  other  words,  an  inhabitant  of  the  town  of  Vire.  But  he 
had  a  strange  pi'opensity  to  rusticating,  and  prefei'red  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  Vire — its  quiet  little  valleys,  running 
streams,  and  rocky  recesses — to  a  more  open  and  more  distant 
residence.  In  such  places,  therefore,  he  carried  with  him  his 
flasks  of  cider  and  his  flagons  of  wine.  Thither  he  resorted 
with  his  '  boon  and  merry  companions,'  and  there  he  poured 
forth  his  ardent  and  unpremeditated  strains.  These  '  strains ' 
all  savoured  of  the  jovial  propensities  of  their  author;  it  being 
very  rarely  that  tenderness  of  sentiment,  whether  connected 
with  friendship  or  love,  is  admitted  into  his  compositions.  He 
was  the  thorough-bred  Anacreon  of  France  at  the  close  of  the 
fifteenth  century.  Vire  is  the  chief  town  of  that  department  of 
Normandy  called  the  Bocage;  and  in  this  department  few  places 
have  been,  of  old,  more  celebrated  than  the  Vauo:  de  Vire,  on  ac- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  327 

count  of  the  number  of  manufactories  which  have  existed  there 
from  time  immemorial.  It  derives  its  name  from  two  principal 
valleys,  in  the  form  of  a  T,  of  which  the  base  (if  it  may  be  so 
called — 'jambage')  rests  upon  the  Place  du  Chateau  de  Vire. 
It  is  sufficiently  contiguous  to  the  town  to  be  considered  among 
the  fauxbourgs.  The  rivers  Vire  and  Virene,  which  unite  at 
the  bridge  of  Vaux,  run  somewhat  rapidly  through  the  valleys. 
These  rivers  are  flanked  by  manufactories  of  paper  and  cloth, 
which  from  the  fifteenth  century  have  been  distinguished  for 
their  prosperous  condition.  Indeed,  Basselin  himself  was  a 
sort  of  cloth  manufacturer.  In  this  valley  he  passed  his  life  in 
fulling  his  cloths,  and  in  composing  those  gay  and  delightful 
songs  which  are  contained  in  the  volume  under  consideration. 
Discours  Preliminaire,  17,  &c.  Olivier  Basselin  is  the  parent 
of  the  title  Vaudeville,  which  has  since  been  corrupted  into 
Vaudeville.  From  the  observation  of  his  critics,  Basselin 
appears  to  have  been  the  father  of  bacchanalian  poetry  in 
France.  He  frequented  public  festivals,  and  was  a  welcome 
guest  at  the  tables  of  the  rich,  where  the  Vaudevire  was  in 
such  request  that  it  is  supposed  to  have  superseded  the  '  Conte, 
or  Fabliau,  or  the  Chanson  d'Amour,'  p.  xviij : 

'  Sur  ce  point-la,  soyez  tranquille  : 
Nos  neveux,  j'en  suis  bien  certain, 
Se  souviendront  de  Basselin  ; 
Pere  joyeux  du  Vaudeville.'  " 

Among  other  specimens  of  the  Vaudevire  of  Olivier  Basselin, 
Dibdin  gives  the  following  : — 

VAUDEVIRE    II. 

"  Ayant  le  doz  au  feu  et  le  ventre  a  la  table, 
Estant  parmi  les  pots  pleins  de  vin  delectable, 
Ainsi  comme  ung  poulet 

Je  ne  me  laisseray  morir  de  la  pepie, 
Quant  en  debvroy  avoir  la  face  cramoisie 
Et  le  nez  violet. 

Quant  men  nez  devendra  de  couleur  rouge  ou  perse, 
Porteray  les  couleurs  que  cherit  ma  maitresse, 
Le  vin  rent  le  teint  beau. 

Vault  il  pas  mieulx  avoir  la  couleur  rouge  et  vive, 
Riche  de  beaulx  rubis,  que  si  pasle  et  chetive 
Ainsi  qu'ung  beuveur  d'eau." 


328  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

I  believe  it  is  not  generally  knoAvn  that  it  is  to  one  of  the 
Vaudevires  of  Olivier  Basselin  we  are  indebted  for  the  song 
called  "  Jolly  Nose."  The  original  will  be  found  in  Vau-de- 
Vire  xviii.,  "  A  son  nez,"  in  the  edition  of  Olivier  Basselin, 
ed.  by  M.  Louis  du  Bois,  Caen,  1821.     It  commences  thus  — 

"  Beau  uez,  dont  les  rubis  orit  couste  mainte  pipe 
De  vin  blanc  et  clairet, 
Et  duquel  la  couleur  licliement  participe 
Du  rouge  et  violet." 

Cf.  Gabriel  du  Moulin,  Discours  sur  la  Normandie;  Andre  du 
Chesne,  Antiquites  des  villes  et  chateaux  de  France;  Jean 
Chardavoine  de  Beaufort,  Recueil  des  plus  belles  et  excellentes 
chansons  en  forme  de  Voix  de  Ville  (Paris,  1,  1576);  Saint 
Julien,  Melanges  historiques,  263 ;  Callieres,  Des  Mots  a  la 
mode;  Vaux-de-Vire  par  Olivier  Basselin,  poete  Normand  de 
la  fin  du  14  siecle,  ed.  par  M.  Louis  du  Bois,  8°-  Caen,  &c., 
1821  ;  and  especially  Dibdin's  Tour  in  France  and  Germany, 
Vol.  i.  289,  et  seq.,  Lond.  1829. 

VAUQUELINITE.  Chromate  of  copper  and  lead,  green, 
of  various  shades  ;  named  after  Prof.  Vauquelin,  the  celebrated 
French  chemist.  The  French  at  first  gave  the  name  of  vau- 
queline  to  strychnine,  in  honour  of  the  same  professor.  Vau- 
queline  is  also  the  French  name  of  a  genus  of  Mexican  plants. 
The  Corymbus  V.  is  a  tree  thirty  feet  high. 

VENEGASIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Supei-flua,  whose 
only  species  is  a  native  of  California ;  dedicated  by  De  Can- 
dolle  to  P.  M.  Venegas,  a  Spaniard,  who  wrote  on  the  civil 
and  natural  history  of  California. 

VENERABLE  (L.  venerabilis).  Worthy  of  veneration  or 
reverence ;  deserving  of  honour  and  respect ;  as,  a  venerable 
magistrate ;  a  venerable  parent  ;  rendered  sacred  by  religious 
associations,  or  being  consecrated  to  God  and  to  His  worship ; 
to  be  regarded  with  awe,  and  treated  with  reverence;  as,  the 
venerable  walls  of  a  temple  or  church  ;  from  Venus, 

VENERATION  (L.  veneratio).  The  highest  reverence ; 
respect  mingled  with  some  degree  of  awe ;  a  feeling  or  senti- 
ment excited  by  the  dignity  and  superiority  of  a  person,  or  by 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  329 

the  sacrediiess  of  his  character,  and,  with  regard  to  place,  by 
its  couseci'ation  to  sacred  services ;  from  Venus. 

VENEREAL.  Pertaining  to  sexual  intercourse ;  adapted 
to  the  cure  of  venereal  diseases ;  from  venereus,  from  Venus, 

en's. Consisting  of  or  pertaining  to  copper,  formerly  called 

by  chemists  Vcinis. 

VENETIAN  SCHOOL.  A  school  of  painting,  in  which 
the  distinguishing  character  is  colouring,  and  a  consummate 
knowledge  of  chiaro-oscuro,  in  both  of  which  all  is  grace,  spirit, 
and  faithful  adherence  to  nature,  so  seductive  as  to  lead  the 
spectator  away  from  any  consideration  of  its  defects ;  named 
from  Venice,  whence  it  originated. 

VENETIANS.  Blinds  for  windows,  doors,  &c.j  so  called 
from  Venice,  where  they  were  first  made. 

VENICE  TURPENTINE  ;  vulgarly  called  Weenus's 
turpentine  ;  doubtless  brought  from  Venice. 

VENICE  WHITE  (Dutch  white,  Hamburg  Avhite).  A 
pigment  consisting  of  carbonate  of  lead  mixed  with  sulphate 
of  baryta,  brought  from  Venice. 

VENULITE.     A  petrified  shell  of  the  genus  Venus. 

VENUS.  One  of  the  inferior  planets,  but  the  brightest, 
and  to  appearance  the  largest  of  all ;  as  morning  star,  called 
by  the  ancients  Lucifer ;  as  evening  star,  Hesjierus ;  so  named 
from  Venus,  goddess  of  beauty  and  love. In  the  old  che- 
mistry, a  name  for  copper. A  genus  of  animals,  cl.  Vermes, 

or.  Testaceci,  having  a  bivalve  shell. 

VENUS'S  COMB.  An  annual  plant  of  the  genus  AS'crt?zfZz'a;; 
shepherd's  needle. 

VENUS'S  FLY-TRAP.  A.\A&nt,Dionceamuscipula,'w\\ic\\ 
seizes  and  holds  fast  insects  which  brush  against  its  leaves. 

VENUS'S  LOOKING-GLASS.  An  annual  plant  of  the 
genus  Campanula,  allied  to  the  bell-flower. 

VENUST  {ohs.)  Beautiful;  from  L.  venustus,  from  Venus. 
Hence  devenustate  (obs.),  to  deprive  of  beauty  and  grace. 

VERDE  DI  PRADO.  A  gi'een  marble,  marked  with  spots 
of  a  deeper  green  than  the  rest,  passing  into  blackish  blue ; 
found  near  the  little  town  of  Prado,  in  Tuscany. 

VERNIER.     A  contrivance  attached  to  the  graduated  limb 


330  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

of  an  instrument  for  measuring  aliquot  parts  of  the  smallest 
spaces  into  which  the  instrument  is  divided  (^Olmsted);  named 
from  the  inventor,  Pierre  Vernier,  born  at  Ornans,  Franche 
Comte,  1580;  died  1637. 

VERNONIA.  A  plant,  named  after  Wm.  Yernon,  fellow 
of  St.  Peter's  College,  Cambridge,  who,  with  David  Kreig, 
M.D.,  of  Saxony,  collected  many  new  plants  in  Maryland,  in- 
serted in  the  supplement  to  Ray's  History. 

VERTUS.  One  of  the  best  sorts  of  champagne,  from 
Vertus,  in  France,  dep.  Marne. 

VERULAM.  A  genus  of  plants,  whose  only  species  is 
Corymhus  V.,  growing  in  Africa;  probably  named  after  Lord 
Verulam. 

VERVISE.  Formerly  a  kind  of  coarse  woollen  cloth, 
otherwise  called  plonkets ;  probably  from  Verviers,  in  Bel- 
gium. 

VESTA.  One  of  the  asteroids,  discovered  by  Dr.  Olbers 
in  1807  ;  so  called  after  Vesta  (Etrria),  virgin  goddess  of  the 
hearth  or  fire.  The  Vestals,  who  were  six  in  number,  were 
virgins  consecrated  to  Vesta,  and  to  the  service  of  watching 
the  sacred  fire,  Avhich  was  to  be  perpetually  kept  burning  upon 
her  altar. A  sort  of  lucifer  match. 

VESTAL  (L,  vestalis).  Pure,  chaste;  pertaining  to 
Vesta,  q.v. 

VESUVIAN.      Idocrase ;    a  mineral   consisting   of  silica, 

alumina,  and  lime;  called  from  Mount  Vesuvius. A  sort  of 

lucifer  match  for  lighting  pipes,  cigars,  &c. 

VEVEYSAN.     A  cigar  made  at  Vevey,  Switzerland. 

VICHY  WATER.  A  water  from  the  tepid  mineral 
springs  near  Vichy,  in  France. 

VIDIAN  DUCTS.  Two  small  canals  at  the  base  of  the 
pterygoid  process ;  discovered  by  Vidus-Vidius,  a  celebrated 
physician  of  Florence,  professor  of  medicine  at  the  Royal 
College  of  Paris,  temp.  Francois  I.  The  name  is  also  given 
to  a  nerve  and  to  an  artery. 

VIGANI'S  ELIXIR.  Sweet  elixir  of  vitriol ;  or  the 
sp.  cetheris  aromaticus ;  named  after  Vigaui. 

VIGO  PLASTER.  A  plaster  used  in  variola ;  probably 
named  from  Vigo,  in  Spain,  where  it  was  first  made. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  331 

VILLANOVA.     A  wine  from  Villanova,  in  Catalonia. 

VIN-DE-GRAVE.  A  wine  growing  upon  the  Greve,  i.e. 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Garonne,  in  the  Bourdelois. 

VIOLA  (the  violet).  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  ViolacecB ; 
"from  lov,  because  first  found  in  Ionia"  {ForsytK). 

VIOLET-MARIAN.  A  flower  called  also  Canterbury- 
bells. — Bailey. 

VIRGILIA.  A  small,  chiefly  tropical,  genus  of  the  large 
natural  family  of  LeguminoscB ;  named  by  Lamarck  in  honour 
of  Virgil. 

VIRGINIA.  Tobacco  from  Virginia,  one  of  the  principal 
kinds  imported  into  England  from  the  United  States. 

VIVIANITE.  A  phosphate  of  iron,  of  various  shades  of 
blue  and  green,  found  at  St.  Agnes,  in  Cornwall,  also  in 
Carinthia,  Greenland,  Transylvania,  the  Crimea,  New  Zealand, 
the  United  States,  and  in  Syria ;  doubtless  named  after  one  of 
the  Vivian  family. 

VOCONIAN  LAW.  Among  the  Romans,  a  law  enacted 
for  the  purpose  of  limiting  the  fortunes  that  might  be  left  to 
females.  It  is  recommended  by  M.  Cato  in  his  oration,  and  was 
named  after  its  author, Voconius  Saxa,  the  tribune,  a.u.c.  584. 
"  It  enacted  that  no  woman  should  be  left  heiress  to  an  estate, 
and  that  no  rich  person  should  leave  by  his*will  more  than  the 
fourth  part  of  his  fortune  to  a  woman.  This  step  was  taken 
to  prevent  the  decay  of  the  noblest  and  most  illustrious  of  the 
families  of  Rome.  This  law  was  abrogated  by  Augustus" 
(^Lempi'iere). 

VOLBORTHITE.  A  mineral,  colour  olive-green,  also 
gray ;  first  discovered  by  Volborth,  with  copper  ores,  in  the 
collection  of  Dr.  Ranch. 

VOLCANIC.     Pertaining  to  volcanoes  ;  as,  volcanic  heat. 

Produced  by  a  volcano  ;  as,  volcanic  tufa. Changed  or 

affected  by  the  heat  of  a  volcano,  q.v. 

VOLCANIST    or    VULCANIST.      One   versed    in    the 

history  and  phenomena  of  volcanoes. One  who  believes  in 

the  effects  of  eruptions  of  fire  in  the  formation  of  mountains. 
See  Volcano. 


332  VEEBA    NOMINALIA. 

VOLCANO  (It.)  In  geologij,  an  opening  in  the  surface  of 
the  earth,  or  in  a  mountain,  from  which  smoke,  flames,  stones, 
lava,  or  other  substances  are  ejected.  Such  are  seen  in  Etna, 
Vesuvius,  Sfc.  So  called  from  Vulcan,  the  god  who  presided 
over  fire,  &c. 

VOLGEEITE.  A  mineral,  a  white  powder  or  crust  occur- 
ring Avith  cervantite,  and  resulting  from  its  alteration  ;  analysed 
by  Volger. 

VOLNAY.  A  fine  light  wine,  of  an  agreeable  bouquet ; 
produced  at  Voluay,  France,  dep.  Cote-d'Or,  renowned  for  its 
Avines. 

VOLTAIC  PILE.  A  column  formed  by  successive  pairs 
of  metallic  discs,  with  moistened  cloth  between  every  two  con- 
tiguous pairs ;  named  in  honour  of  Volta,  Avho  invented  it. 
The  voltaic  apparatus  is  used  for  exciting  and  accumulating 
galvanic  electricity,  a  larger  specimen  being  called  a  voltaic 
battery. 

VOLTAISM.  That  branch  of  electrical  science  which  has 
its  source  in  the  chemical  action  between  metals  and  different 
liquids ;  so  called  from  Alessandro  Volta,  a  celebrated  experi- 
mental philosopher,  who  was  boi'u  at  Como  in  1745.  Pie  laid 
the  foundation  of  his  fame  by  two  treatises,  Avhich  described  a 
new  electrical  mackine ;  Avas  for  thirty  years  professor  of  na- 
tural philosophy  at  Pavia ;  Avas  created  an  Italian  count  and 
senator  by  Napoleon,  and  died  in  1826.  Volta  dii'ected  his 
attention  particularly  to  the  subject  of  galvanism,  or  animal 
electricity,  in  Avhich  science  he  made  many  discoveries  and 
improvements;  but  the  great  invention  which  immortalizes  his 
name  is  the  Voltaic  pile,  or  electrical  column.  His  Avorks 
form  five  vols.  8o-  Voltaism  is  more  properly  called  galvanism, 
from  Galvani,  Avho  first  proved  or  brought  into  notice  its  re- 
markable influence  on  animals. 

VOSLAUER.  A  celebrated  wine  from  Voslau,  near 
Vienna. 

VOUGEOT  (Clos-Vougeot).  A  red  Avine  of  the  first 
quality,  produced  at  Le  Clos  Vougeot,  near  the  village  of 
Vougeot,  dep.  Cote-d'Or,  France. 

VULCANIAN.     Pertaining  to  works  in  iron,  &c.;  so  called 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  333 

from  Vulcau.     See  Volcano. As  an  epithet,  in  geolojij, 

the  same  as  plutonian. 

VULCANIZATION.  The  process  of  treating  India  rubber 
with  sulphur,  and  exposing  it  to  a  strong  heat  to  make  it  more 
serviceable ;  so  called  from  Vulcan,  "  the  very  first  of  black- 
smiths." 

VULPINITE.  A  mineral,  a  variety  of  anhydrite,  contain- 
ing some  silica,  colour  greyish-white ;  from  Vulpino,  in  Italy. 


W. 


WAGNERITE.  A  rare  mineral,  a  phosphate  of  magnesia, 
resembling  the  Brazilian  topaz  ;  named  after  Wagner. 

WALCHOWITE.  A  mineral  found  in  yellow  translucent 
masses  in  brown  coal  at  Walchovv,  in  Moravia;  formerly  called 
Retinite. 

WALKERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  allied  to  Gomphia,  of  two 
species,  shrubs ;  the  one  a  native  of  Malabar  and  Ceylon,  the 
other  of  French  G-uiaua;  dedicated  by  Schreber  to  Richard 
Walker,  D.D.,  founder  of  the  botanic  gardens  at  Cambridge. 

WALLENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  two  species, 
small  trees,  the  one  a  native  of  Jamaica,  the  other  of  the 
East  Indies  ;•  dedicated  by  Swartz  to  Matthew  Wallen,  Avho 
cultivated  both  indigenous  and  exotic  j^lants  in  Jamaica. 

WALLERITE.  A  variety  of  clay,  found  in  small  compact 
masses,  white  and  opaque,  yellowish  and  translucent ;  named 
after  Waller  [not  used]. 

WALLICHIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species,  a 
palm,  native  of  the  East  Indies ;  named  by  Roxburgh  after  N. 
Wallich,  Ph.D.,  superintendent  of  the  East  India  Company's 
botanic  gardens  at  Calcutta. 

WALLOP.  To  beat  or  thrash.  Mr.  John  Gough  Nichols 
derives  this  word  from  an  ancestor  of  the  Earl  of  Portsmouth, 
one  Sir  John  Wallop,  K.G.,  who  in  lien.  VIII.'s  time  distin- 
guished himself  by  ivalloping  the  French. 

WALLROTHTA.      A  genus  of  plants,   of  a  few  species, 


334  VERBA   NOMINALlTi. 

trees;  dedicated  by  Roth  to  F.  Wallroth,  M.D.,  a  German 

botanist. Also  a  genus  of  only  one  species,  the  W.  tenuifolia, 

a  native  of  the  Central  Pyrenees ;  dedicated  by  Sprengel  to 
the  same  botanist. 

WALLSEND.  The  coal  so  called.  "  Wallsend,  so  called 
as  being  the  spot  where  the  celebrated  Wall  of  Severus  termi- 
nated on  the  northern  bank  of  the  Tyne,  a  few  miles  below 
Newcastle,  has  in  modern  times  been  chiefly  known  as  the  site 
of  a  colliery  yielding  the  most  valuable  description  of  coal.  So 
important,  indeed,  is  the  appellation  in  the  market  that,  although 
the  high  main  seam  which  afforded  the  original  coal  has  long 
been  Avorked  out,  the  designation  has  not  only  continued  to  be 
applied  to  some  other  sort,  as  the  best,  but  to  several  sorts 
which  the  dealers  wish  to  recommend." 

WALPERSIA.  A  genus  of  plants  (identical  with  the 
Trichocephalus  of  Brogniart),  small  heath-like  shrubs,  natives 
of  the  Cape ;  dedicated  by  Riessek  to  G.  G.  Walpers,  author 
of  Repert.  Botan. 

WALPURGIS  NIGHT.  According  to  popular  super- 
stition, the  witch  festival  held  on  the  summit  of  the  Brocken, 
in  the  Harz  Mountains,  on  the  1st  of  May,  a  festival  of  St. 
Philip  and  St.  James.  The  superstitution  is  said  to  have 
originated  in  the  rites  performed  by  the  pagan  remnants  of  the 
Saxons  to  their  gods,  when  their  nation  was  forcibly  converted 
to  Christianity,  and  which,  being  secretly  celebrated  in  remote 
places,  were  supposed  by  the  vulgar  to  be  supernatural  orgies. 
St.  Walpurga  was  an  English  lady,  sister  of  Boniface,  the 
apostle  of  the  Germans.  Her  festival  falls  on  the  same  day 
with  that  of  the  above-mentioned  saints,  and  is  a  common  day 
in  Germany,  like  Lady  Day  in  England,  for  the  commence- 
ment of  leases,  &c. 

WALS ALL-LEGGED.  Said  to  be  equivalent  to  baker- 
legged,  which  Bailey  renders  straddling  with  the  legs  bowing 
outward.  A  correspondent  of  N.  h  Q.  says,  "  I  have  heard 
similarly-fashioned  people  called  '  Walsall-legged,'  their  forma- 
tion being  accompanied  with  a  peculiar  outward  motion  of  the 
knees  when  the  person  is  walking,  like  to  that  made  in 
descending  stairs ;  and  I  have  been  told  that  this  arises  from 


VERBA    NOMINAI.IA.  335 

the  natives  having  to  walk  up  and  down  so  many  steps  when 
going  to  and  from  their  houses."      Another  correspondent  of 
the  same  journal  says,  "  The  natives  of  Walsall  are,  or  at  least 
used  to  be,  looked  down  upon  by  their  neighbours  as  peculiarly 
uncouth.     This  circumstance  is  well  illustrated  by  an  anecdote 
that  I  remember  to  have  heard  of  a  gentleman  living   in  the 
last  century,  who,  in  walking  through  a  street  in  Birmingham, 
happened    to  jostle    against   a    passex'-by.     The   man  jostled 
against  vented  his  wrath  ujDon  the  stranger   by  calling  after 
him  that  he  was   '  A  Wa'sall  tyke,  that  had  never  been  in 
Brummagem  before.' "    Another  correspondent  says,  "  Formerly 
several  years  resident  in  various  parts  of   Staffordshire,   in- 
cluding the  old-chartered  town  of  Walsall,  the  epithet  Walsall- 
leggecl  I  have  repeatedly  heard  orally  from  persons  Walsall- 
born,  whose  family,   relative,  and  official  positions  for   three 
generations  in  the  locality  rendered  them   tolerably  well  ac- 
quainted with  its  traditions  ;  a  hearty  welcome  and  prolonged 
stay  being  often  accorded  to  visitors  or  friends  by  saying,  '  till 
you  begin  to  get    Walsall-leggecL'     The  comparatively  great 
elevation  of  the  parish  church  at  the  head  of  the  town,  its 
foundations  nearly  on  a  level  with  adjacent  house-tops,  on   the 
west  entered  by  ascending  a  number  of  steps,  and  diverging 
from  the  main  street,   itself  a  tedious  incline  ;  on  the  south- 
west, its  approaches,  formerly  rugged  and  dilapidated,  being 
fragments    of  crumbled    out-of-the-hill    sort    of   steps,   partly 
earthen  and  partly  hill-side  shale,  causing  consequent  exertion 
and  precariousness  of  ascent — these  are  local  traditionary  par- 
ticulars for  the  jocose  saying,  Walsall-legged.     Recent  years' 
improvements  of  the  approaches  by  removal  and  otherwise  of 
surrounding  property  afford  but  partial  evidence  of  its  anterior 
tendency  to  leg-deformity  of  the  natives,  though  its  present 
considerable   number   of  modern   steps   leading  to  the  sacred 
edifice  still  ft-equently  give  rise  to  the  old  saying,  '  Don't  get 
Walsall-legged.''  "     Another  correspondent  of  the  same  journal 
says,  "  Walsall  parish  church  is  built  on  a  very  steep  hill,  and 
there  are  many  steps  from  the  street  to  the  church.     Black 
Country  people  affirm  that  Walsall  men  became  bandy-legged 
through  ascending  and  descending  the  hill  and  steps :  hence 


336  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

the  terms,  '  WcC sail-legged,''  and  '  He's  bin  [been]  up  Wa'sall 
steps.'     A  local  rhyme  says — 

*  Sutton  for  mutton, 

Tamworth  for  beef, 
Walsall  for  bandy-legs. 

And  Brummagem  for  a  thief.'  " 

WALTHERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  many  species,  small 
shrubs,  principally  natives  of  the  tropical  parts  of  America ; 
dedicated  by  LinnjEUS  to  Aug.  Fred.  Walther,  a  German 
botanist,  professor  of  medicine  in  the  University  of  Leipsic. 

WARWICKITE.  Borate,  a  mineral  occurring  in  granular 
limestone  near  Edenville,  New  York ;  probably  named  from 
its  discoverer  Warwick,  or  from  one  of  the  several  places  in 
America  so  named. 

WARWICK'S  (COUNT)  POWDER.  A  powder,  con- 
sisting of  scammony,  oxide  of  antimony,  and  cream  of  tartar ; 
much  extolled  by  Baglivi  and  Van  Swieten  as  an  efficacious 
purgative  in  intermittent  fevers. 

WATERFORD.  A  sort  of  over  garment.  Stanihurst, 
who  wrote  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  and  whose  account  of 
Ireland  is  published  in  Holinshed's  chronicles,  speaking  of 
Waterford,  says,  "  As  they  distill  the  best  aqua  vitce,  so  they 
spin  the  choicest  rug  in  Ireland.  A  friend  of  mine,  being  of 
late  demurrant  in  London,  and  the  weather,  by  reason  of  a 
hard  hoare  frost,  being  somewhat  nipping,  repaired  to  Paris 
Garden  clad  in  one  of  these  Waterford  rugs.  The  mastifs  had 
no  sooner  espied  him,  but,  deeming  he  had  beene  a  beare, 
would  fain  have  baited  him ;  and  were  it  not  that  the  dogs 
were  partly  muzzled  and  partly  chained,  he  doubted  not  but 
that  he  should  have  beene  well  tugd  in  this  Irish  rug  ;  where- 
upon he  solemnlie  vowed  never  to  see  beare-baiting  in  any  such 
weed  "  (Pkmche'). 

WAVELLITE.  A  phosphate  of  alumina,  consisting  of  fine 
radiated  fibres ;  named  after  Wavel,  who  discovered  it. 

WEBSTERITE.  The  sub-sulphate  of  alumina,  a  white  or 
yellowish  mineral,  occurring  on  the  coast  near  Newhaven,  in 
Sussex ;  doubtless  named  from  its  discoverer,  Webster. 

WEDGWOOD-WARE.     A  kind  of  semi-vitrified  pottery, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  337 

without  much  superficial  glaze,  but  capable  of  receiving  all 
kinds  of  colours  by  means  of  metallic  oxides  and  ochres.  Ad- 
mirable imitations  of  Etruscan  and  other  vases  have  been 
executed  in  this  ware  (Ure).  Named  from  the  inventor,  the 
celebrated  Josias  Wedgwood,  who  was  born  July,  1730,  and 
died  in  January,  1795,  at  his  house  in  Staffordshire,  to  which 
he  gave  the  name  of  Etruria,  whence  the  place  of  that  name. 

WEDNESDAY  (Sw.  Odensdag  or  Onsdag,  Dan.  Onsdag, 
D.  Woensdag').  The  fourth  day  of  the  week  ;  from  A.  8. 
Wodnesdag,  Wodin's  day,  from  Woden,  Wodin,  or  Odin,  a 
deity  or  chief  among  the  northern  nations  of  Europe,  said  to 
correspond  to  Mercury  of  the  ancients. 

WEHRLITE.  A  mineral  consisting  of  silica,  red  oxide  of 
iron,  protoxide  of  iron,  oxide  of  manganese,  lime,  alumina,  and 
water;  found  on  the  Kecskefar  mountain,  near  Szutrasko,  in 
Hungary  ;  analysed  by  Wehrle. 

WEISSIG-ITE.  A  mineral  occurring  in  the  cavities  of  a 
porphyritic  amgygdaloid,  with  chalcedony  and  quartz,  near 
Weissig,  in  Saxony. 

WELLINGTON.     A  boot ;  named  after  the  late  duke. 

WELSH  RABBIT.  Cheese  melted  into  a  mass,  and 
usually  spread  over  slices  of  toasted  bread ;  properly  Welsh 
rare-bit ;  and  doubtless  so  called  from  having  been  first  made 
in  Wales. 

WELTER'S  TUBE.  A  safety  tube  introduced  into  a 
Woolfe's  bottle,  to  prevent  retrograde  pressure ;  named  after 
the  inventor. 

WERNERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or.  Compositce ;  so 
called  after  Werner,  the  mineralogist. 

WERNERIAN.  Pertaining  to  Werner,  the  German 
mineralogist  and  geologist,  who  arranged  minerals  in  classes, 
&c.,  according  to  their  external  characters,  and  advocated  that 
all  the  geological  strata  were  originally  in  solution  in  an  aqueous 
fluid,  from  which  they  were  deposited  or  precipitated. 

WESLEYANISM.  Arminian  methodism.  The  doctrine 
and  discipline  of  the  Wesleyan  methodists,  a  sect  founded  by 
John  Wesley,  who  was  born  at  Epworth  Rectory,  co.  Lincoln, 
17  June,  1703,  and  died  1791. 


338  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

WESTRINGIA.      A  genus  of  plants,  nat.   or.  LabiatcB  ; 
called  after  Westring,  physician  to  the  King  of  Sweden. 

WHARTON'S    DUCT.     The  excretory  duct  of  the  sub- 
maxillary gland  ;  named  after  its  discoverer,  Wharton. 

WHITECHAPEL.     Low,  mean,  paltry;  so  called  from  the 

district  of  same  name  at  the  east  end  of  London. "  The 

upper-cut,  or  strike"  {Pugilistic). "In  tossing,  two  out  of 

three  wins  "  (J.  C.  Hotteri). 

WILDING  OF  CASSOY  or  BESI  DE  CASSOY.  A 
pear  named  from  the  Forest  of  Cassoy,  in  Bretague,  where  it 
was  discovered.  It  is  also  called  Rousset  d'Aujou  and  Petit 
Beurre  d'Hiver,  i.e.  small  winter  butter  pear. 

WILLEMITE  or  WILHELMITE.  A  mineral,  a  silicate 
of  zinc,  colour  yellowish;  found  at  Moresuet,  in  Belgium,  and 
in  New  Jersey ;  doubtless  named  after  its  discoverer  (Willem 
or  Wilhelm  ?) 

WILLIAM  (SWEET).  The  name  of  several  species  of 
pink,  of  the  genus  Dianthus. 

WILSON'S  MUSCLE.  The  perpendicular  portion  of  the 
compressor  urethras,  described  by  Mr.  Wilson.  The  transverse 
portion  was  discovered  by  Mr.  Guthrie,  and  bears  his  name. — 
Hoblyn. 

WINCHESTER  BUSHEL.    The  original  English  standard 
measui-e  of  capacity,  established  by  Henry  VIL,  and  ordered 
to  be  kept  in  the  town  hall  of  Winchester.     It  contained  2150 
cubic  inches,  and  is  the  one  generally  used  in  the  United  States. 
WINDSOR  PEAR.     A  pear  from  Windsor,  in  Berks. 
WINTERA   AROMATICA.     A  tree,  whose  bark,  called 
Winter's  bark,   is   used  as   an   aromatic  tonic,   native  of  the 
Straits  of  Magellan,  Peru,  Chili,   &c.;    named   in   honour  of 
Capt.  Winter,  companion  of  Sir  Francis  Drake  in  his  voyage 
round  the  world,  who  brought   some   of  this  bark  from  the 
Straits  of  Magellan. 

WINWICKED.  A  slang  term  used  in  Cornwall  for  over- 
reached ;  said  to  have  originated  from  the  last  male  repre- 
sentative of  the  Winwick  family,  who,  from  tradition,  was 
celebrated  for  making  good  bargains.  Have  you  been  win- 
nicked  ?  as  they  pronounce  it  in  the  west. 


VERBA    NOMINALTA.  339 

WIRSUNG'S  DUCT  {Canal  de  Wirsingus).  Another 
name  for  the  pancreatic  duct ;  named  from  Wirsung,  who  first 
demonstrated  it  in  1642. 

WITHAMITE.  A  variety  of  epidote,  colour  red  or  yellow, 
found  in  Scotland;  doubtless  named  in  honour  of  its  discoverer, 
Witham. 

WITHERINGIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species, 
native  of  South  America ;  named  by  L'Heritier  in  honour  of 
William  Withering,  M.D.,  F.R.S.,  author  of  "  An  Arrangement 
of  British  Plants,  &c." 

WITNEY.  A  very  superior  blanket  made  at  Witney,  co. 
Oxford.  The  colour  is  said  to  be  attributable  to  the  peculiar 
properties  of  the  Avater  of  the  Windrush.  In  the  time  of 
Queen  Anne  the  manufacturers  had  150  looms  in  full  operation, 
affording  employment  to  more  than  3000  persons.  Of  late  the 
trade  has  greatly  declined,  and  most  part  of  the  fabrics  now 
sold  as  Witney  blankets  are  made  in  Glamorganshire  and 
elsewhere. 

WITSENIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species,  native 
of  the  Cape;  named  after  Nicholas  Witsen,  author  of  Descrip- 
tions of  Shells  found  in  East  Indies,  and  of  Observations  in 
New  Holland,  both  printed  in  the  Philosophical  Transactions. 

WOLFFIAN  BODIES  (false  kidneys).  A  name  given  by 
Rathke  to  the  substance  by  which  the  kidneys  are  preceded  in 
the  embryo  ;  first  remarked  by  Wolff. 

WOLFRAM  or  WOLFRAMIUM.  An  ore  of  tungsten, 
colour  brownish  or  greyish  black  ;  named  from  Wolfram,  a 
ferruginous  mine  in  Sweden. 

WOLLASTONITE.  A  mineral,  a  variety  of  tabular  spar, 
found  in  the  Banat,  in  Finland,  Sweden,  Italy,  Germany,  the 
United  States,  Canada,  Ceylon,  &c.  ;  named  after  William 
Hyde  WoUaston,  M.D.,  a  celebrated  chemist  and  natural 
philosopher,  who  died  in  1828. 

WOODEN  WEDGE.  "The  last  name  in  the  classical 
honours-list  at  Cambridge.  The  last  in  mathematical  honours 
had  long  been  known  as  the  Wooden  Spoon ;  but  when  the 
classical  Tripos  was  instituted  in  1824,  it  was  debated  among 
the  undergraduates  what  sobriquet  should  be  given  to  the  last 

z  2 


340  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

on  the  examination  list.  Curiously  enough,  the  name  that 
year  which  happened  to  be  the  last  was  Wedgewood  (a  distin- 
guished Wrangler):  hence  the  title." — J.  C.  Hotteii. 

WOODSIA,  A  genus  of  ferns,  of  two  species,  the  looodsia 
of  the  Isle  of  Elba,  and  the  hyperborean  woodsia  ;  named  after 
the  English  botanist,  Wood. 

WOODVILLE.  A  cigar  imported  from  Cuba;  named  from 
an  estate  there. 

WOODWARDIA.  A  genus  of  ferns,  of  seven  species ; 
named  after  Prof.  Woodward,  of  England. 

WOOLFE'S  APPARATUS.  An  apparatus  for  impreg- 
nating water  for  medicinal  purposes  with  carbonic  acid  ;  so 
called  from  the  name  of  the  inventor. 

WORMIAN    BONES  {Ossa  triquetra).     A  name  given  to 
triangular  bones  sometimes  found  in  the  course  of  the  suture 
of  the    parietal    and    occipital   bones ;    so   called   from   Olaiis 
Wormius,  physician  of  Copenhagen,  who  first  described  them. 
WORSTED.      Yarn  made   of  wool   drawn   out  into   long 
filaments  by  passing  it,  when  oiled,  through  heated  combs ; 
supposed  to  take  its  name  from  Worsted,  in  Norfolk,  where  it 
was  first  manufactured.     Stow  says,  "  Soon  after  this  [sixteenth 
century]  Wm.  Rider,  then  apprentice  to  Tho.  Burdet,  at  the 
bridge  foot,  opposite  the  church  of  St.  Magnus,  seeing  a  pair 
of  knit  worsted  stockings  at  an  Italian  merchant's,  brought 
from   Mantua,  borrowed   them,  and,  having  made  a  pair  like 
unto  them,  presented  them  to  the  Earl  of  Pembroke,  which 
was  the  first  pair  of  worsted  stockings  knit  in  this  country." 
This    says    nothing    against  worsted    stockings    having  been 
afterwards  manufactured  at  Worsted,   and  having  had  their 
name  from  thence.     From  the  following  passage  in  Anderson's 
History    of   Commerce,    it   may,    however,    be    still    doubtful 
whether  the  original  name  was  not  Ostade,  which  is  both  a  sur- 
name and  a  local  name.    Anderson  says,  "  Guicciardini  likewise 
ascribes  to  the  Netherlands,  but  without  assigning  the  times 
when,  among  other  arts,  that  of  making  says,  serges,  fustians, 
ostades  (worsteds)  and  demi-ostades,  woollen  cloth  napped  (a 
friser),  and  many  sorts  of  linen  cloth,  besides  a  great  number 
of  lesser  inventions." 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  341 

WOTHLYTYPE  {votelij  type).  In  photography,  a  new 
process  by  which  peraiauence  is  secured ;  lately  inveuted  by 
Herr  Wothly. 

WRISBERG.  Another  name  for  the  lesser  internal 
cutaneous  nerve,  the  smallest  of  the  brachial  nerves ;  named 
after  its  discoverer. 


X. 


XAINTONGE  or  SAINTONGE  (pucelle  de  Xaiutonge). 
A  pear  named  from  Saintonge,  formerly  Xaintonge,  in  France. 

XIMENIA,  A  genus  of  plants,  of  three  species,  natives  of 
the  West  Indies  and  New  Caledonia ;  named  by  Plumier  in 
honour  of  Rev.  Francis  Ximenes,  a  Spaniard,  author  of  the 
Animals  and  Plants  of  New  Spain,  161.5. 


Y. 


YANKEEISM.  The  ism  of  the  Y^ankees,  the  popular  name 
for  the  citizens  of  New  England,  but  applied  among  foreigners 
to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  indiscriminately. 

YARMOUTH  CAPON.  A  bloater  or  red  herring.— 
Raifs  Proverbs. 

YENITE  or  JENITE.  A  mineral,  colour  black  or 
brownish-black,  occurring  massive  and  in  prismatic  crystals  ; 
first  obtained  at  Elba,  and  called  jenite,  in  commemoration  of 
the  battle  of  Jena. — Dana. 

Y'ORKSHIRE.  "To  Yorkshire,"  or  "come  Yorkshire 
over  any  person ;"  to  cheat  or  bite  them  {North).  The  pro- 
verbial overreaching  of  the  rustics  of  this  county  has  given 
rise  to  this  phrase,  vrhich  is  sometimes  pronounced  Torkshar. 
"  Torkshar,  to  put  Yorkshire  to  a  man,   is  to  trick  or  deceive 

liim  "  (Lancashire  Dialect,  1757). Every  man  pays  his  share 

( Sporting). 


342  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

YTTRIA.  A  metallic  oxide,  in  appearance  of  a  fine  white 
powder,  without  taste  or  smell ;  discovered  in  1794  by  Prof. 
Gadolin  in  a  mineral  found  at  Ytterby  Quarry,  in  Sweden. 

YTTRIUM  or  ITTRIUM.  The  metallic  base  of  yttria, 
first  obtained  pure  in  1828  by  Wochler.     See  Yttria. 


Z. 


ZANONIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  one  species,  native  of 
Malabar ;  named  by  Linnaeus  after  Giacomo  Zanoni,  prefect  of 
the  botanic  garden  at  Bologna,  author  of  Istoria  Plantarum, 
Bol.  1615,  edited  in  Latin  by  Monti,  1742. 

ZANNICHELLIA.  Pond-weed,  a  genus  of  plants,  nat.  or. 
Niadacece,  native  of  Europe  and  Virginia ;  named  by  Micheli 
after  Giovanni  Geronimo  Zannichelli,  apothecary  of  Venice, 
author  of  Laboratorium  Zannichellianum,  &c. 

ZANY  (It.  zanni,  a  buffoon).  A  merry-andrew,  a  buffoon; 
v.a.  to  mimic. 

"  Marry,  you  may  bring  Frisker,  my  zany ;  he's  a  good  skipping 
swaggerer." — J3en  Jonson.     Poetaster. 

"  Talking  of  stones,  stars,  plants,  of  fishes,  flies, 
Playing  with  words,  and  idle  similes, 
As  th'  English  apes  and  very  zanies  be 
Of  every  thing,  that  they  do  hear  and  see, 
So,  imitating  his  ridiculous  tricks, 
They  speak  and  write,  all  like  meer  lunaticks." — Drayton. 

"  Reads  her  asleep  a-nights,  and  takes  his  oath 
Upon  her  pantoffles,  that  all  excellence 
In  other  madams  do  but  zany  hers." — Beaum.  ^'  F. 

From  Zan,  the  Italian  nickname  of  John,  in  Dutch  Jan. 
Casaubon  derives  it  from  Gr.  cravvos,  a  fool ;  Skinner  from  L. 
sanna,  a  scoff.  "  But,"  says  Bailey,  "  it  rather  is  of  Zane,  Ital., 
a  contraction  of  Giovanni,  i.e.  John,  as  we  use  Jack  often  by 
way  of  contempt."  Richardson  gives,  "  It.  Zane,  the  name  of 
John.     Also  a  sillie  John,  a  gull,  a  noddle.     Used  also  for  a 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  343 

simple  vice,  clowiio,  f'oole,  or  !:*iinple  fellow  in  a  pUiy  or  comedy 
(Florio);  and  Skinner  seems  inclined  to  favour  this  etymology ; 
and  Menage  also  considers  it  to  be  a  corruption  of  Giovanni. 
Tooke  supposes  Sanese  (an  inhabitant  of  Sienna)  was  used  to 
denote  a  fool ;  and  that  the  first  part  of  the  word  Seme  has 
given  us  zani,  and  the  latter,  neze,  nizzy." 

ZANYISM.     The  state  or  character  of  a  zany,  q.v. 

ZAPANIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Angiosperinia,  dedicated 
by  Jussieu  to  P.  A.  Zappa,  an  Italian  botanist. 

ZAUCHNERIA.  A  genus  of  plants,  or.  Monogytiia ; 
dedicated  by  Presl  to  the  botanist  Zauchner. 

ZELTINGER.  A  very  good  wine  made  at  Zeltingen, 
centre  of  the  wine  districts  of  the  Moselle,  in  which  all  the 
best  sorts  are  produced. 

ZENONISM.  The  philosophy  of  Zeno,  the  celebrated 
Greek  philosopher,  founder  of  the  Stoics. 

ZEUXITE.  A  zeolitic  substance,  found  in  Huel-Unity 
Mine,  near  Redruth,  in  Cornwall ;  doubtless  named  after 
Zeuxis,  one  of  the  most  celebrated  painters  of  antiquity;  but 
why  is  doubtful. 

ZIERIA  (Fr.  zierie).  A  genus  of  Australian  plants,  one 
species  of  which  is  cultivated  in  French  orangeries  ;  named  by 
Dr.  J.  E.  Smith  after  John  Zier,  F.L.S.,  an  indefatigable 
botanist. 

ZINKENITE.  A  steel-grey  ore  of  antimony  and  lead ; 
named  after  M.  Zinken. 

ZINN.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  five  species,  natives  of 
Pei'u,  North  America,  and  Mexico ;  named  by  Linnaeus  in 
honour  of  John  Godof  Zinn,  pupil  of  Haller,  and  professor  of 
botany  at  Giittingen  after  him;  author  of  Hortus  Goettingen- 
sis,  1757. 

ZION.  The  theocracy  or  church  of  God ;  so  called  from  a 
hill  in  Jerusalem,  which,  after  the  capture  of  that  city,  became 
the  royal  residence  of  David  and  his  successors. 

ZOEGEA.  A  handsome  plant,  flowering  in  summer  and 
autumn,  found  by  Michaux  in  the  Levant ;  named  by  Linnceus 
after  Johann  Zoega,  M.D.,  author  of  Flora  Islandica. 

ZOISITE.  A  greyish  variety  of  epidote  ;  so  called  from 
Baron  Von  Zois,  its  discoverer. 


344  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

ZORGITE.  A  mineral  found  in  granular  masses  at 
Tilkerode  and  Zorge,  in  the  Harz. 

ZWINGERA.  A  genus  of  plants,  of  only  one  species,  a 
shrub,  native  of  Guiana;  named  after  Theodorus  Zwinger, 
prof,  of  anatomy  and  botany  at  Basel,  author  of  Theatrum 
Botanicum,  Basel,  1696. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  345 


ABERNETHY.  A  biscuit  named  after  the  late  celebrated 
surgeon,  John  Abernethy. 

ACADEMY.  At  p.  1,  1.  9,  for  Academe  read  Academia. 
Donnegan  gives  A>iaSy]iMia,  the  Academy,  a  garden  so  called 
after  an  ancient  hero,  Academus,  near  Athens,  where  Plato 
taught  (Aristoph.  Nub.  992)  :  hence  the  school  of  Plato. 
Etym.  properly,  a  fem.  of  axa^iMog,  a,  ov,  of,  or  pertaining  to 
Academus. 

ALABASTER.  "  A  white  stone  used  for  ornamental  pur- 
poses. The  name  is  derived  from  Alabastron,  a  town  of  Egypt, 
where  there  appears  to  have  been  a  manufactory  of  small 
vessels  or  pots  made  of  stone,  found  in  the  mountains  near  the 
town.  These  vessels  were  employed  for  containing  certain 
kinds  of  perfumes,  used  by  the  ancients  in  their  toilets,  and 
with  which  it  was  the  custom  to  anoint  the  heads  of  their 
guests,  as  a  mark  of  distinction,  at  their  feasts.  There  are  in 
Horace  many  allusions  to  this  custom.  In  like  manner,  Mary, 
the  sister  of  Lazarus,  poured  upon  the  head  of  our  Saviour,  as 
He  sat  at  supper,  '  very  precious  ointment '  from  an  alabaster- 
box.  The  tei-ms  aXajBoca-rpov  among  the  G-reeks  and  alabastnim 
among  the  Romans  were  applied  to  those  vessels  even  when 
they  were  not  made  of  the  white  stone  ;  for,  although  they  may 
have  imitated  the  original  form  of  the  vessels  made  at  Ala- 
bastron, they  appear  from  Theocritus  (Idyl,  xv.)  to  have  been 
sometimes  made  of  gold.  They  were  of  a  tapering  shape,  and 
without  handles  ;  and  from  this  circumstance,  Adam  (Lat. 
Diet.)  gives  as  the  etymology  of  alahastrum,  a  without,  \a(iy] 
handle,  a  derivation  which  certainly  cannot  be  assigned  to  it 
consistently  with  the  formation  of  the  Greek  language.  It 
appears  from  a  passage  in  Demosthenes  (Oration  on  the  Em- 
bassy, ch.  68),  that  one  of  the  brothers  of  ^schines,  the  orator, 
was  employed  in  painting  these  alabaster-boxes.  Pliny  says 
(lib.  xxxvi.  12,  and  xxxvii.  .54)  that  the  stone,  which  he  calls 


346  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

alahastrites,  was  got  from  Thebes  ;  but  Manuert  (Geographie 
der  Griecheu  und  Romer)  places  the  town  of  Alabastron  in 
Heptanomis,  or  Middle  Egypt,  in  the  hills  between  the  Nile 
and  the  Red  Sea,  about  thirty  English  miles  east  of  Acoris ; 
and  states  that  the  stone  of  which  the  alabasti'a  were  made  was 
brought  from  Mons  Alabastrinus,  about  thirty  miles  south-east 
of  the  town.  Mr.  James  Burton,  who  has  been  long  resident 
in  Egypt,  has  determined  the  site  of  Alabastron  to  be  latitude 
27°  43',  longitude  31°,  not  far  from  the  east  bank  of  the  Nile, 
a  few  miles  south  of  the  ruins  of  Antinoii." — P.  Cyc. 

ANACREONTIC.     At  p.  6, 1.  10,  for  anapest  read  wiapcest. 

ASSASSIN.  At  p.  10,  1.  10,  for  plant  read  preparation  of 
hemp. 

ATH  AN  ASIAN.  At  p.  10,  1.  11  from  bottom,  for  of  faith 
read  of  the  orthodox  faith. 

ATLANTES.     At  p.  11,  1.  2,  for  Zelamones  read  Telamones. 

ATLAS.     At  p.  11,  1.  13,  for  vertebrcs  read  vertebra. 

BANTING  or  BANTING  SYSTEM.  A  treatment  for 
the  cure  of  corpulence  first  resorted  to  by  Mr.  Wm.  Harvey,  a 
London  surgeon ;  so  called  from  Mr.  Wm.  Banting,  of  Ken- 
sington, who  was  the  first  person  cured  by  it. 

"  What  combination  of  anti-Banting,  engineering,  and  sartorial  jargon 
have  we  here  ?  What  does  this  worthy  gentleman  actually  mean  by  '  widen 
without  weakening.'  " — D.  Tel. 

BASSORINE.  At  p.  16,  1.  16,  for  constitutuent  read  con- 
stituent. 

BAYONET.  At  p.  17,  1.  3,  for  1814  read  1714;  and  at 
p.  18,  1.  4  from  bottom,  after  Madrid,  add,  "  The  word  is  still 
vulgarly  pronounced  bagganet. — S.  F.  Creswell." 

BENEDICT.  See  also  Notes  and  Queries,  3rd.  S.  viii. 
210,  276,  &c. 

BERENICE.     At  p.  20,  1.  11,  for  Evergetes  read  Euergetes. 

BERTHOLETIA.  At  p.  21,  1.  5,  for  Brazil  nut  tree  read 
Bi^azil-nut  tree. 

BESSEMER.  At  p.  21,  for  a  steel  invented  by  M.  Bessemer 
read  a  pi^ncess  of  making  steel  invented  by  M.  Bessemer, 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  347 

BILBO.     At  p.  22,  for  Bilboa  read  Bilbao. 
BISANTIUM.     At  p.  22,  1.  9  from  bottom,  for  ducane  read 
ducat  of. 

BISHOP.  Among  horse-dealers,  to  use  arts  to  make  an  old 
horse  look  like  a  young  oue,  or  to  give  a  good  appearance  to  a 
bad  horse  {^Ash ;  Encyc).  "  Dishonest  dealers  in  horses  have 
been  said  to  resort  to  a  method  of  prolonging  the  mark  in  the 
lower  nippers.  It  is  called  bishoping,  from  the  name  of  the 
scoundrel  who  invented  it "  (Lib.  Usef.  Knowl. ;  The  Horse). 

A  cant  word  for  a  mixture  of  wine,  oranges,  and  sugar 

{Swift). A  part  of  a  lady's  dress  (  Webster). 

BISTOURY.  At  p.  22,  1.  6  from  bottom,  for  Pistoria  read 
Pistoja. 

BOCK  or  BOCK  BEER.     A  strong  beer  now  much  drunk 
at  the  Paris  cafes.     Ure  says,  '■'•Bock,  a  favourite  double-strong 
beverage  of  the  best  lager  description,  which  is  so  named  from 
causing  its  consumers  to  prance  and  tumble  about  like  a  buck 
or  a  goat  (because  it  makes  one  capricious);"  but  the  word  is 
more  probably  derived  from  the  place  where  it  was  first  brewed. 
Meyer  (Das  Grosse  Convers.  Lex.)  says  simply  that  it  is  a 
beer  from  the  Bockkeller,   in  Miinchen  (Munich);  but  in  the 
supplement  he  gives  a  long  notice  of  it.     He  says  it  is  a  strong 
malt-rich  Bavarian  beer,  that  was  first  brewed  in  the  little 
Hanoverian  town  of  Einbeck,  and  that  it  is  in  great  repute. 
He  states  that  Friedrich,  Elector  of  Saxony,  called  the  Wise, 
was   in  the  habit   of   sending    Martin    Luther  a  mass  (over 
an  imperial  quart)  of  it  daily,  in  order  to  strengthen  him.     He 
speaks  of  a  Bavarian  princess  who  was  cured  by  it  after  a 
serious  illness  of  several  months,  and  mentions  the  following 
words  in  connection  with  it: — Bier  und  Bockfreund,  Bock- 
hallen,    Bockkur,    Bocksaison,    Bockschaffler,    Bockwalzer    (a 
melody),  Bockwappen,  Bockzeit,  Bockzeitung.     Since  writing 
the  above  I  have  found  the  following  notice  of  this  celebrated 
beer  in  the  Bayerisches  Worterbuch  von  J.  Andreas  Schmeller 
(Stuttg.  1827,  vol.  1,  p.   151-2),  "  Der  Bock,  Aimbock,  eine 
Art  besonders  starkeu  Bieres,  das  nur  in  den  Staatsbrauereyen 
zu  hoherem  Preise,  als  dem  des  gewohnlichen  Marzenbieres 
verschleisst  werden  darf,  in  soferne  also  der  Gcgenstand  eines 


348  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

Monopols  ist.  Die  kurze  aber  rauscheude  Epoclie,  die  dieses 
Getrank,  besonders  bey  den  mittlern  Volksklassen  Miincbens, 
jahrlich  macht,  tritt  gewohnlich  um  die  Zeit  des  Fronleich- 
namsfestes  ein.  Bock  mit  Bockwiirsten  (einer  eignen  Species) 
ist  an  diesen  Tagen  ein  beliebtes  altmiinchnerisches  Friihstiick. 
Der  Bockkeller,  eine  fiir  den  Beobacbter  des  Miinchner  nie- 
dern  Volkslebens  uicht  ununterricbtende  Spelunke.  Im 
Reiebsarcbiv  zu  Miinchen  findet  sieb  noch  eine,  auf  den  Erfur- 
ter  Biirger  Cornelius  Gotwalt,  unterm  2ten  Miii'z,  1553,  zum 
Transport  von  2  Wagenscbwer  Ainpechhisch  Bier,  von  Ainheck 
aus,  nacb  Miincben  oder  Landstrut  ausgestellte  berzogliche 
Vollmacbt.  '  Einbeckiscb  Bier,  so  die  Niirnberger  dem  gnadi- 
gen  Herrn  gelifert '  kommt  auch  in  einer  Miincbner  Hofrecb- 
nuug,  V.  1574  (Wstr.  bist.  Calender,  v.  1788,  p,  195),  vor. 
Wie  aus  Einbecker  oder  Embeckerbier  gemeinen  Mann,  der  in 
jeden,  ibm  fremden  Ausdrucb  gern  einen  handgreiflicben  Sinn 
legt,  Ainbock  und  endlicb  gar  Bock  werden  konnte,  ist  begrei- 
flicb.  Diese  volksmiissige  Umformung  ist  iudessen  schon  ein 
paar  Jabrbunderte  alt,  denn  in  der  Land  und  Policey  Ord.v.l616, 
f.  532,  ist  aucb  von  einem  Bock-Meet  die  Rede,  welcher  nicbt 
anders  als  zur  Notbdurft  '  der  kranken  gesotten  werden  solle.' 
Als  gegenstiick  zu  diesem  (starker  stossenden)  Bock  gieng, 
besonders  aus  den  Briiubiiusern  der  Jesuiten,  die  etwas  sanft- 
miitbigere  Gaiss  bervor."  Einbeck,  or  ratber  Eimbeck,  is  a 
town  of  Hanover,  gov.  Hildesheim,  on  tbe  Ilm,  forty  miles  S. 
Hannover.  It  was  a  place  of  considerable  importance  in  tbe 
fifteenth  century,  and  early  embraced  the  Reformation.  It 
still  contains,  among  other  factories,  several  brandy  distilleries 
and  breweries. 

BORDEAUX.     At  p.  2,  for  made  read  exported  from. 

BOSWELLIA.  At  p.  27,  1.  13  from  bottom,  for  Catholic 
Church  read  and  Greeh  Orthodox  Churches. 

BOUGIE.  At  jD.  28,  1.  14,  for  Corruvias  read  Covarruvias ; 
and  transfer  to  p.  27  after  "Boswellisra." 

BRAGATIONITE.  At  p.  29  read  Bagrationite  ;  at  1.  7, 
for  Bragation  read  Bagration. 

BRAG.  To  boast ;  from  Bragg,  a  Scandinavian  deity  Avho 
sang  the  praise  of  the  heroes  in  the  Hall  of  Odin  (./.  Power"). 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  349 

Bragi  or  Brag  was  the  god  of  poetry :  hence  it  was  sometimes 
bestowed  as  a  proper  name  on  a  poet.  There  was  a  celebrated 
Icelandic  bard  called  Bragi  Skalld. 

BRUM  {nearhj  obsolete).  A  counterfeit  coin;  from  Brum- 
magem, q.v.     (Slang.     J.  C  Hotten). 

BRUMMAGEM.     Trashy,  common. 

"  Diluted  history  and  brummarjem  lore." — Sat.  Rev. 

So  called  from  Brummagem,  i.e.  Brumwycheham,  ancient  name 
of  Birmingham,  the  great  emporium  for  plated  goods  and  imi- 
tation jewellery. 

BURPORT  DAGGER.  A  periphrase  for  being  hanged, 
in  allusion  to  the  ropes  for  which  the  manufacturers  of  Bridport 
were  once  famous,  and  with  which  Newgate  and  other  places 
were  supplied.  See  the  Old  Morality  of  Hyclce  Scorner,  in  Dr. 
Percy's  Collection,  dated  1520  (cii'c.)  "  Once  a  yere  the  in- 
mates of  Newgat  have  taw  halts  of  Burtporte." 

CABAL.  At  p.  34,  1.  15  from  bottom,  after  councils  add, 
"  This  accidental  circumstance  may  have  introduced  or  extended 
the  foreign  meaning  of  the  word. — ;S'.  F.  Creswell." 

CvESIA.     At  p.  35,  1.  15,  for  Frederico  read  Federico. 

CALATRAVA.  At  p.  35,  1.  4  from  bottom,  s£tev  from  add 
St.  John  of. 

CAMBO.  A  fragrant  Chinese  tea  with  a  violet  smell ;  its 
infusion  pale  ;  so  called  from  the  place  whei'e  it  is  made. 

CANNIBAL.  At  p.  37,  1.  9  from  bottom,  after  Islands  add 
S.  F.  Creswell. 

CANTABRICA.  At  p.  38,  1.  14  from  bottom,  for  north- 
easteim  read  northern. 

CARLINO.     At  p.  39,  1.  12  from  bottom,  for  £51  read  £5. 

CAROLINEA.  At  p.  40,  1.  13,  for  StercidiaccB  read  Ster- 
culiacea'. 

CARP-MEALS.  At  p.  40,  1.  9  from  bottom,  after  English 
coast,  add,  "  probably  from  Cartmel,  in  North  Lancashire. — 
S.  F.  CresivelL" 

CARTHUSIAN  POWDER  {Poudre  de  Chartreux,  Pulvis 
Carthnsianonmi).     A  designation  of  Kermes  mineral,  or  amor- 


3oO  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

phous  tersulphuret  of  antimony  ;  so  called  from  its  successful 
use  by  a  Carthusian  friar  named  Simon. 

CHARTREUSE.  A  liqueur  probably  named  La  Grande 
Chartreuse,  a  celebrated  monastery  in  France,  dep.  Isere. 
The  French  word  is  also  used  for  a  little  isolated  country 
house  ;  also,  in  conchology,  horticulture  ;  and  frequently  in  the 
culinary  art. 

CHESSY  COPPER.  Another  name  for  the  mineral  called 
azurite,  which  occurs  in  splendid  crystallizations  at  Chessy, 
near  Lyons. 

CHILTERN  HUNDREDS.  Appellation  of  a  nominal 
stewardship  under  the  Crown.  Chiltern  is  the  appellation  of 
a  chain  of  chalky  hills,  separating  the  counties  of  Bedford  and 
Herts,  and  running  through  the  middle  of  Bucks,  from  Tring, 
Herts,  to  Henley-upon-Thames,  Oxon.  They  are  covered,  in 
various  parts,  with  woods,  and  some  of  the  eminences  are  of 
considerable  height,  and  afford  rich  prospects.  To  these  hills, 
which  belong  to  the  crown,  is  annexed  the  nominal  office  of 
steward  of  the  Chiltern  Hundreds,  by  the  acceptance  of  which 
a  member  of  the  British  Pai'liament  is  enabled  to  vacate  his 
seat. 

CHRISTMAS.  At  p.  49,  for  the  festival  read  the  principal 
festival. 

CIRCENSIAN.  Pertaining  to  the  Circus,  in  Rome,  where 
were  practised  games  of  various  kinds,  as  running,  wrestling, 
combats,  &c.  The  Circeusian  games  accompanied  most  of  the 
feasts  of  the  Romans,  but  the  grand  games  were  held  five  days, 
commencing  on  the  15th  of  September.  From  L.  Circenses, 
games  of  the  Circus. 

CLAUDETYPE.  A  process  of  photography  invented  by 
M.  Claudet. 

CLAYTONIA.     At  p.  50,  for  Pontulacacecs  read  Portulacete. 

CLIONIDtE.  At  p.  50,  1.  5  from  bottom,  for  peteropods 
read  pteropods. 

CLYDESDALE.  Name  of  a  good  draught-horse,  especially 
for  farming  business  and  in  a  hilly  country;  so  called  from  the 
district  on  the  Clyde,  in  Scotland,  where  it  is  principally  bred. 

COACH  (p.  51).     Adelung  (Mithridates),  under  the  Hun- 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  351 

gariau  word  kotsi,  says,  "  Kutsche  doch  vie  leicht  ist  das 
deutscbe  wort  aus  dcra  Ungarischeu  entstanden,  weil  die 
Kutscheu  in  Ungarn  erfunden  seyn  und  von  dem  Marktflecken 
Kots  ilireu  Nnlimen  erhalten  haben  sollen." 

COLBERTEEN  (p.  51).  "Lace  so  called  after  tlie  cele- 
brated French  minister,  M.  Colbert.  Swift  mentions  the 
'  pinners  edged  with  colberteen '  (temp.  Jas.  II.  and  Wm.  & 
Mary),  as  the  lace  streamers  were  called." — Planche,  Hist. 
Brit.  Cost.  395. 

CONGREVE.  At  p.  56,  last  line,  for  engine  of  loar  read 
rochet. 

CORUNDOPHILITE  (p.  59).     Delete  this  paragraph. 

CORYDON.  An  old  classical  term  for  a  shepherd  ;  so 
called  from  the  name  of  a  shepherd  in  Virgil. 

"  Nerine  Galatea,  thymo  mihi  dulcior  HybljB, 
Candidior  cycnis,  edera  formosior  alba  : 
Cum  primum  pasti  repetent  pi'jesepia  tauri, 
Si  qua  tui  Corydonis  habet  te  cura,  venito." 

Bucol.  Eel.  vii.  37. 

COZAKEE.  A  horse,  patient. and  docile,  deep  in  the  girth, 
powerful  in  the  fore-arm,  but  with  large  head,  and  sadly  cat- 
hammed :  hardy,  and  calculated  for  long  journeys  and  severe 
services.     The  name  would  seem  to  be  a  corruption  of  Cossack. 

CRETISM.  At  p.  60,  1.  1 3  from  bottom,  after  deceivers, 
add,  "  St.  Paul  thus  characterizes  them  in  his  epistle  to  Titus  i. 
12  :  '  One  of  themselves,  even  a  prophet  of  their  own,  said, 
The  Cretians  are  always  liars,  evil  beasts,  slow  bellies.' — 
S.  F.  Creswell." 

DA  VILLA.  At  p.  66,  1.  14  and  15,  for  Davilla  read 
Davilct. 

DIGBY  CHICKENS.  "The  neighbourhood  of  Digby 
appeared  to  me  particularly  eligible,  for  the  town  was  a  thriving 
little  sea-port ;  boats  of  a  large  size  were  built  in  her  docks, 
and  the  sea  abounded  with  several  good  sorts  of  fish.  A  small 
species  of  herring  afforded  the  inhabitants  almost  a  staple 
commodity.  They  are  extremely  delicate,  and  are  salted  in 
great  quantities  every  year.     They  have  gained  the  nickname 


352  VERBA    NOMINALIA. 

of  Dighy  ChicJcens,  and  are  exported  to  different  parts  of  the 
province  in  barrels." — Forest  Scenes  in  the  Wilds  of  North 
America,  by  Geo.  Head,  Esq.,  Lond.  8°-  1829.  See  Quar. 
Rev.  No.  83,  p.  82. 

DRACONIC.  "  The  most  draconic  repressive  statutes." 
So  called  from  certain  laws  made  by  Draco,  a  celebrated 
Athenian  lawgiver,  who  succeeded  Triptolemus  as  legislator, 
B.C.  623.  On  account  of  their  severity  they  were  said  to  be 
written  in  letters  of  blood.  Idleness  was  punished  with  as 
much  severity  as  murder,  and  death  was  denounced  against  the 
one  as  well  as  the  other.  Solon  abolished  all  except  that 
which  made  murder  a  capital  offence. 

ELEUSINIAN.  Relating  to  Eleusis  (now  Lepsina),  in 
Attica,  or  to  sacred  rites  in  honour  of  Demeter  (the  Roman 
Ceres),  there  celebrated ;  as,  Eleusinian  mysteries.  The 
FAeusinia  was  celebrated  on  the  15th  of  the  month  of  Boiidro- 
mion,  lasted  nine  days,  and  was  held  by  the  Athenians  in  great 
reverence.  Everybody  was  obliged  to  pass  through  the  cere- 
monies once  in  the  course  of  his  life.  Strangers,  slaves,  bas- 
tards, prostitutes,  &c.,  were  excluded  from  these  rites  ;  and  so 
superstitiously  were  they  observed  that,  if  any  one  revealed 
any  of  the  mysteries  or  applied  to  private  purposes  any  of  the 
hallowed  solemnities,  it  was  considered  a  capital  crime.  See 
Dissertation  on  the  Eleusinian  and  Bacchic  Mysteries,  by 
Thos.  Taylor,  Amst.  1792,  8°-;  Essai  sur  les  Mysteres  d'Eleusis, 
by  Ouvaroff,  Par.  1816,  8°- 

EOLIC.  At  p.  79  read  ^olic ;  and  at  last  line,  for  Eolia 
read  uEolia. 

FAIRNTOSH.  The  name  of  a  whisky  in  very  great  repute 
up  to  1761 ;  so  called  from  the  lands  of  Fairntosh,  in  Scotland, 
where  it  was  distilled.  For  an  interesting  account  of  this 
beverage  see  Ed.  Rev.  No.  94,  pp.  505-7  (May,  1828),  in  an 
article  on  Jamieson's  Scot.  Diet. 

FALLOPIAN.     At  p.  83, 1.  3,  for  Versalms  read  Vesalius. 

FENIANISM.  The  political  principles  of  the  Fenians,  an 
association  of  natives  of  Ireland  or  their  descendants  in  the 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  353 

United  States,  having  for  its  avowed  object  the  separation  of 
Ireland  from  the  government  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  esta- 
blishment of  the  former  as  a  republic.  The  name  Fenian  is  said 
to  be  derived  from  Fion,  a  hero  in  Ossian,  famous  for  his  victories 
over  the  Scandinavian  and  German  invaders.  In  the  Edin. 
Rev.  (July,  1805,  p.  429)  I  find  the  following  :— "  It  is  allowed, 
on  all  hands,  that  numberless  traditions  Avere  current  in  Ireland 
concerning  the  Fenij  or  Fions,  a  species  of  militia  inhabiting 
Leinster,  and  commanded  by  Fin  Mac  Coul,  named  by  Fer- 
guson, Fingal,  the  son  of  Conhal."  F.  K.  Meyer,  in  a  late 
work  entitled  "  The  still  existing  Celtic  People,  Languages,  and 
Literatures,"  gives  the  following  on  thenameof  the  Fenians: — 
"  Many  traditions  of  the  primitive  history,  contests,  and  migra- 
tions of  the  Celts  had  been  preserved,  as  on  the  British  Islands, 
so  principally  in  Ireland.  These  were  finally  revived  and  re- 
modelled in  the  second  and  third  century  of  our  era  by  the 
latest  Irish-British  immigrants ;  the  Scoti,  that  came  from  the 
north-east,  calling  themselves  by  the  Irish  name  Fiona,  Fena, 
i.e.  the  blond  or  white,  from  the  singular  Fion  (Kymri  given, 
guend,  ancient  Celtic  vind,  as  in  Vindobona,  &c.)  This  tribe 
was  distinguished  both  by  beauty,  wisdom,  poetry,  and  valour, 
and  thus  widely  differed  from  the  contemporaneous,  likewise 
East-Celtic,  tribe  of  the  Picts,  or,  according  to  their  indigenous 
name,  Cruithne,  the  Dubh  Taratha  Cruithue  (black  people  of 
the  Cruithne)  of  the  Irish  Annalists,  and  the  Liu  Dhu  (black 
host)  of  the  Welsh  bards  and  triads.  Eminently  celebrated, 
however,  among  the  blond  Fena  for  beauty  and  wisdom  was 
the  so-called  light  or  noble  family  of  the  Ua-sin,  or  Uafiin 
(from  '  Ua,'  the  O'  of  the  Irish  family  name — family  '  Sippe,' 
and  '  sin '  or  '  fB.n,'  clear,  white).  After  many  sanguinary  fights 
the  Fena  were  conquered  and  destroyed  towards  the  end  of  the 
third  century,  by  the  Belgian  king  Cairpre  Cinncait,  in  the 
great  (half-mythical)  Battle  of  Cath.  This  destruction,  it 
would  appear,  became  the  origin  of  the  new  Fion  or  Fin  Gall 
(of  Ossian's  poem  of  that  name).  The  ancient  hero  of  the 
tribe  who  bore  that  name  arose  anew  in  the  course  of  centuries, 
enlarged  as  it  were  into  an  historical  primary  type,  and  a 
religious  and  historical  expression,  not  merely  for  the  one  East- 

A    A 


354  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

Celtic  branch  of  the  Irish- Scottish  population,  but  for  the 
whole  complex  of  its  West  and  East-Celtic  portions.  He  be- 
came the  Divine  king  who  had  immigrated  either  from  north 
or  south  (hence,  perhaps,  his  name  Gall  =  stranger),  son  of 
Cumhal,  i.e.  the  Picts  in  the  north,  grandson  of  Base,  i.e.  the 
Iberians  in  Spain ;  the  type  and  beginning  of  all  ancient  Irish 
history  and  culture,  civilization  and  legislation,  and,  more 
especially,  from  his  epithet  of  Miledh  (warrior),  the  ancestor 
of  all  ancient  Irish  families  that  date  their  descent  from  the 
East,  the  so-called  Phoenico-Milesians." 

FEVILLEA.     At  p.  84  read  Feuilha. 

FORTUNATUS'S  CAP.  "  Fortunatus  had  a  wishing 
hat,  which,  Avhen  he  put  on  and  wished  himself  anywhere,  be- 
hold he  was  there.  By  this  means  had  Fortunatus  triumphed 
over  space,  he  had  annihilated  space ;  for  him  there  Avas  no 
Where,  but  all  was  Here.  Were  a  hatter  to  establish  himself 
in  the  Wahngasse  of  Weissnichtwo,  and  make  felts  of  this  sort 
for  all  mankind,  what  a  world  we  should  have  of  it !  Still 
stranger,  should,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  another 
hatter  establish  himself,  and,  as  his  fellow-craftsman  made 
space  annihilating,  make  time  annihilating.  Of  both  would  I 
purchase,  Avere  it  with  my  last  groschen ;  but  chiefly  of  this 
latter.  To  clap  on  your  felt,  and  simply  by  wishing  that  you 
were  any  ivhere,  straightway  lo  be  there.  Next  to  clap  on  your 
other  felt,  and  simply  by  wishing  that  you  were  any  when, 
straightway  to  be  then."  —  Carlyle,  Sartor  Resartus.  For 
Fortunatus's  Purse,  see  N.  &  Q.  2nd  S.  vii.  21  ;  xi,  72. 

FRAUNHOFER  LINES.  Fraunhofer  was  an  eminent 
optician  residing  at  Munich,  who,  having  prepared  some  glass 
of  great  purity,  repeated  the  experiments  of  Newton  on  the 
analysis  of  white  light.  His  researches  showed  that  not  only 
are  the  rays  of  light  of  very  different  refraugibility,  but  that 
some  of  the  rays  are  wanting  in  the  spectrum.  It  has  been 
reserved  for  the  recent  discovery  of  spectrum  analysis  to  show 
that  their  spaces — these  Fraunhofer  lines — are  due  to  the  ab- 
sorption of  those  rays  in  their  passage  through  the  sun's 
atmosphere  by  the  vapours  of  those  metals,  which,  in  a  state 
of  incandescence,  would  emit  rays  of  the  same  refraugibility. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  355 

GA6G.  "A  foolish  fellow.  'And  Agag  came  uuto  him 
delicately.'     Hence  gaggish." — /.  Power. 

GOLGOTHA.  At  p.  100,  1.  12  from  bottom,  for  tU  place 
of  skulls  read  facetiously  identified  with  the  place  of  a  skull. 

GRASSINI.  At  Turin,  a  kind  of  bread  in  long  crispy 
sticks,  for  easy  digestion ;  named  after  the  inventor. 

HECTOR.     At  p.  115,  1.  4,  for  ayg  read  aya.vois. 
HOCUS-POCUS.     At  p.  120,  1,   11,  after  Transubstanlia- 
tion,  add,  The  priest,  however,  says,  Hoc  est  enim  corpus. 

IRVINISM.     At  p.  126,  for  rving  read  Irving. 

ISTHMIAN  GAMES.  One  of  the  four  great  festivals  of 
Greece;  so  called  because  celebrated  on  the  Isthmus  of  Corinth, 
"  The  prize  was  an  ivy -wreath  "  {S.  F.  C.) 

ISTHMIAN  SCHEME.  The  French  scheme  of  cutting 
through  the  Isthmus  of  Suez  for  the  ]3urpose,  it  is  said,  of 
gaining  a  preponderance  in  the  East. 

ISTHMUS  OF  VIEUSENS  {Isthmis  Vieusenii).  The 
ridge  surrounding  the  oval  fossa,  or  remains,  of  the  foramen 
ovale  in  the  right  auricle  of  the  heart;  so  called  from  Vieusens, 
the  anatomist,  who  discovered  it.  He  was  born  in  1641,  and 
was  author  of  several  works  on  anatomy. 

LETHEAN.  At  p.  151, 1.  14  from  bottom,  for  letheed  read 
lethe'd. 

LIEBERKUHNIAN  GLANDS.  At  p.  153,  1.  14,  for 
Lieberkiihnn  read  Lieherkuhn. 

LINNiEA.  Add,  "  It  is  remarkable  as  having  received  its 
name  in  honour  of  the  great  Swedish  naturalist,  who,  as  appears 
by  the  journal  of  his  '  Tour  to  Lapland,'  chose  this  plant  to 
transmit  his  own  name  to  posterity," — T.  Wright,  M.A. 

LINN^AN  SYSTEM.  At  p.  154,  1.  19  from  bottom,  for 
Linne  read  Linne. 

LOCHABER  AXE.  At  p.  155,  1.  7,  for  and  farewell  my 
Jean  read  farewell  to  my  Jean. 

MAQON.  At  p.  163,  11.  2  and  3  from  bottom,  for  Maqon 
read  Macon. 

A  A  2 


356  VERBA   NOMINALIA. 

MAYONNAISE.  A  superb  sauce,  compounded  of  yolks 
of  unboiled  eggs,  oil  of  the  purest  quality,  French  or  Tarragon 
vinegar,  cayenne,  and  salt ;  properly  Bayonnaise,  so  called  from 
Bayonne,  where  it  was  first  made.  The  term  is  usually  applied 
to  a  pyramidical  dish  composed  of  boiled  or  roast  chicken  deli- 
cately carved,  served  up  with  hearts  of  small  lettuces,  hard 
eggs,  jelly,  &c.,  and  covered  w^ith  this  sauce. 

MOGrUER.  A  wine  mixed  with  sherry,  and  forming  that 
inferior  kind  of  which  a  large  quantity  is  exported  ;  so  called 
from  Moguer,  on  the  Guadalquivir,  where  it  is  produced. 

MORAVIANISM.  At  p.  190,.l.  19  from  bottom,  for  to  the 
read  in  the. 

MOSS-LAIRD.  A  name  given  to  the  tenants  in  the  great 
improved  Moss  of  Blaii'-Drummond. —  Carlisle. 

MOSS-TROOPERS.  A  term  applied  to  certain  bandits 
that  formerly  infested  the  border  country  between  England  and 
Scotland.  The  name  is  derived  from  the  character  of  the 
country  over  which  they  "  trooped,"  it  being  extensively  inoss 
or  morass. — Webster. 

NABOTH'S  GLANDS.  At  p.  201,  1.  10  from  bottom,  for 
oviila  read  ova.  Add  also,  "  Some  small  glands  situated  be- 
tween the  folds  of  the  membrane  lining  the  cervix  uteri.  An 
anatomist  named  Naboth,  finding  them  morbidly  enlarged, 
mistook  them  for  ova,  whence  they  were  called  ovula  Nabothi, 
or  glandulee  Nabothi." — Hooper,  Med.  Diet. 

PARADISE.  A  garden,  library,  or  study.  See  Britton's 
Arch.  Diet. — Halliwell. 

PARAMATTA.  At  p.  220,  1.  15,  for  where  it  is  jnanufac- 
turecl  read  which  produced  the  wool  from  which  it  was  manufac- 
tured. 

PH^BE.  At  p.  230,  1.  5  from  bottom,  for  Phoebe  read 
Phcebe. 

ROQUEFORT.  A  superior  French  cheese  resembling 
Stilton  in  flavour ;  named  from  Roquefort,  dep.  Aveyron, 
where  nearly  1000  tons  of  it  are  annually  made. 


VERBA    NOMINALIA.  357 

ST.  JULIEN.  At  p.  261,  1.  16  from  bottom,  after  prime, 
add,  "  lu  Englaud,  a  kind  of  pear." 

TiENIA  TARINI.  At  p.  298,  1.  2,  for  vena  corporis 
striati  read  corpus  striatum. 

TINTAMAR.  At  p.  308,  1.  8,  after  grand  tintaman^e,  add, 
"  "  ;  and  at  1.  1 1  for  vignerous  read  vigncrons. 

TOKAY.     At  p.  309,  1.  16,  add  Tempora  mutantur. 

TYRANT.     At  p.  317,  1.  13,  for  Tijrreheni  read  Tyrrheni. 


KINIS. 


Charles  Jones,  Printer,  West  Harding  Street  (late  Sumfield  &  Jones). 


WORKS   BY   THE   SAME   AUTHOR. 

BRADSHAW'S    ILLUSTRATED   HAND-BOOK 
TO   SPAIN   AND   PORTUGAL: 

A  complete  Guide  for  Travellers  in  the  Peninsula,  with  Maps,  Town 

Plans,  &c. 

London  :  W.  J.  Adams,  59,  Fleet  Street, 


GUIDE   TO   THE   TYROL; 

COMPRISING  PEDESTRIAN  TOURS  OF  1600  MILES  IN  TYROL,  STYRIA,  CARIN- 
TUIA,    AND    SALZKAMMERGUT,  WITH    A  SKELETON  MAP  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

London  :  W.  J.  Adams,  59,  Fleet  Street. 

"  We  can  only  say,  put  this  nice  little  guide  in  your  pocket,  and  go  and  see  tlie  country." 
— Athenceitm. 

"As  a  brief  record  of  personal  experience,  this  little  volume,  which  would  occupy  small 
space  in  the  corner  of  a  knapsack,  will,  we  have  no  doubt,  prove  a  most  useful  companion 
to  any  one  who  proposes  to  follow  the  author's  footsteps  through  the  beautiful  scenery  to 
be  found  among  the  mountains  and  valleys  of  the  Tyrol." — Notes  and  Queries. 

"  For  full  information  on  the  Tyrol  we  beg  to  refer  our  readers  to  a  concise,  useful,  and 
interesting  little  work  just  published,  entitled  '  Guide  to  the  Tyrol,'  by  R.  S.  Charnock."— 
Bradshaw's  Continental  Railway  Guide. 

"  This  book  is  not  only  interesting,  but  useful.  The  information  it  contains  will  enable 
the  tourist  to  make  his  way  through  a  large  portion  of  the  finest  scenery  in  Europe  with  no 
more  help  than  a  light  purse,  a  cotton  umbrella,  and  a  leather  knapsack." — Morning 
Chronicle. 

"  Genuine,  and  a  model  of  brevity."— ZJor^e^  County  Chronicle. 

"  With  this  work,  the  pedestrian  may  learn  how  to  spend  a  month  or  si.x  weeks  among 
the  most  magnificent  scenery  in  the  world,  and  at  a  cost  considerably  under  £20. "—i/jTitory 
Spectator. 

"  We  can  recommend  the  work  as  a  thoroughly  practical  guide." — Bristol  Mercury. 

"  We  strongly  advise  every  one  who  contemplates  going  over  this  ground  to  purchase  this 
excellent  little  book,  which  enters  sufficiently  into  detail  to  satisfy  any  traveller,  and  is 
never  dull  or  -^rosy ."—Cambridge  Independent. 

"  Pleasantly  written,  and  contams  many  useful  hints.  It  is  a  very  useful  vade  mecum  for 
travellers." — Brighton  Gazette. 

"  If  any  of  our  readers  are  thinking  of  a  continental  tour,  and  wish  to  deviate  somewhat 
from  the  beaten  track,  we  recommend  them  to  be  o£f  to  the  Tyrol,  and  to  take  this  book 
for  a  pocket  companion."— /?r«d/ord  Observer. 

"  We  think  Jlr.  Charnock's  Guide  is  likely  to  induce  many  a  visit  to  the  Tyrol.  Above 
all,  he  is  most  practical  on  the  subject  of  the  currency  ."—Southern  Times. 

LOCAL  ETYMOLOGY: 

London  :  Houlston  &  Wright,  65,  Paternoster  Row. 

"  Contains  a  lai-ge  selection  of  names  most  likely  to  be  sought  for,  and  is  carefully  com- 
piled."— Examiner. 

"  An  immense  amount  of  industry  has  been  brought  to  bear  upon  the  compilation  of  this 
dictionary.  Those  interested  in  such  a  study  will,  in  this  dictionary,  find  a  help  such  as 
they  have  hitherto  found  the  want  of." — Morning  Post. 

"Contains  the  etymology  of  about  3000  names  of  most  interest  to  the  general  reader; 
but  the  reader  may,  by  applying  the  information  furnished  by  Mr.  Charnock  with  reference 
to  the  prefixes  and  affixes  of  local  names,  carry  the  work  far  beyond  the  limits  within  which 
the  author  has  confined  himself."— iW)tes  and  Queries. 

"  A  volume  on  which  Mr.  Charnock  has  spent  much  labour,  with  corresponding  success."— 
Alhenceum. 

"  The  genealogies  have  been  followed  out  with  much  labour  and  research  through  nume- 
rous languages." — Globe. 

"  As  a  compilation,  it  indicates  a  considerable  amount  of  philological  attainment,  and  less 
of  that  perplexing  ingenuity  so  characteristic  of  etymologists,  which  amuses  rather  than 
instructs." — Westminster  Review. 

"  The  two  great  requisites  for  the  task  were  industry  and  judgment,  and  by  the  help  of 


these  Mr.  Charnock  has  produced  a  useful  and  Instructive,  and  we  may  add,  an  entertain- 
ing and  curious  volume." — Morning  Chronicle. 

"  To  a  conviction  of  the  importance  of  the  study  of  etymology,  together  with  a  love  of 
the  study  itself  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Charnock,  we  are  indebted  for  the  present  admirable 
volume,  wliich  for  conscientiousjinquiry,  accuracy  and  skill  in  the  performance,  could  scarcely 
be  surpassed  in  value,  and,  as  such,  is  constituted  an  incontestable  autliorlty  in  the  matter 
of  which  it  treats.  It  will  accordingly  find  grateful  acceptance  with  antiquaries,  students, 
and  men  of  letters.  The  work  is  marked  by  diligent  research  in  ancient  and  modern 
languages,  and  the  consultation  of  numerous  histories  and  other  works."— /)aj7y  Telegraph. 

"  Mr.  Charnock  deserves  every  credit  for  producing,  within  the  moderate  limits  of  an 
octavo  volume,  a  work  which,  while  its  well-digested  conciseness  cannot  fail  to  render  it 
acceptable  to  the  general  reader,  is  entirely  free  from  that  flippant  style  of  jumping  at  con- 
clusions without  research,  which  excites  the  contempt  of  the  genuine  archaeologist.  The 
author  has  shown  himself  to  possess  sound  discrimination  as  well  as  extensive  reading,  the 
power  of  condensing  much  important  matter  within  a  narrow  compass,  and  a  judgment  not 
to  be  led  astray  by  specious  but  superficial  and  conjectural  derivation."— ^«a«. 

"It  suggests  some  curious  and  interesting  topics  to  the  philologist."— ^iW  the  Fear 
Round. 

"  As  a  word  of  reference,  most  important  and  valuable,  and  entitled  to  a  prominent  posi- 
tion in  every  library." — Constitutional  Press. 

"  The  author  has  consulted  a  long  list  of  authorities,  and  his  work  shows  care  and  inge- 
nuity, as  well  as  good  judgment  in  selection,  and  in  the  allotment  of  space  to  subject." 
— Bent's  Literary  Advertiser. 

"  A  useful  contribution  to  our  literature  in  a  department  where,  we  are  perhaps  most 
deficient." — The  Bookseller. 

"  We  are  glad  to  welcome  Mr.  Charnock  as  an  agreeable  contributor  to  our  stock  of 
archieologieal  knowledge.  The  work  will  be  studied  with  profit  and  pleasure,  and  laid 
down  by  the  student  without  fatigue,  and  with  a  feeling  of  regret  that  there  is  not  more  of 
it." — Freemasons'  Magazine. 

"  A  great  amount  of  dUigent  research  has  been  bestowed  .upon  its  compilation." — 
Brighton  Examiner. 

"  A  very  useful  and  trustworthy  volume."  -Kentish  Observer. 

"The  author  has  not  confined  himself  to  the  names  of  English  places,  but  points  out  the 
etymology  of  foreign  towns  of  note,  and  elucidates  the  meaning  of  the  names  given  to 
seas,  channels,  mountains,  &c.  Whether  these  names  be  derived  from  any  peculiarity  in 
the  geological  formation  of  the  district,  from  the  names  of  men,  from  Oriental  languages  or 
plain  Saxon,  the  whole  is  carefully  explained.  The  author  has  consulted  a  large  number 
of  authorities." — Windsor  Express. 

"  Great  in  Indian  terms."— Dorset  County  Chronicle. 

"  Much  obscurity  has  from  time  to  time  been  thrown  upon  names  which  have  been  most 
grossly  corrupted,  and  hence  much  confusion  has  been  occasioned,  perplexing  the  inquirer, 
and  rendering  obscure  what  will  be  found,  by  this  volume,  both  plain  and  simple."— />ore- 
caster  Gazette. 

"  Mr.  Charnock  has  produced  a  book  which,  divested  of  the  dulness  of  'word-books  '  in 
general,  whilst  exhibiting  in  an  eminent  degree  a  scholar-like  acquirement,  and  an  acute- 
ness  of  research  and  discrimination,  and  no  slight  knowledge  of  many  tongues,  presents  a 
good  deal  of  pleasant  reading  and  many  historical,  descriptive,  and  anecdotal  remarks.  In 
this  respect,  of  all  etymological  dictionaries,  a  topographical  one  no  doubt  affords  a  more 
ample  field  for  an  easy,  discursive,  and  generally  interesting  treatment  of  the  subject  than 
any  other  branch  of  philological  learning.  Granting  this,  Mr.  Charnock  has  executed  his 
task  in  all  the  foregoing  respects  with  a  method,  correctness,  amplitude,  and  carefulness 
which  entitle  his  work  to  the  commendation  and  encouragement  of  all  those  who  take  an 
interest  in  philological  research.  The  author  does  not  confine  himself  to  Great  Britain  ; 
other  countries  in  all  quarters  of  the  world  come  in  for  a  fair  share  of  his  labours,  and 
we  find  researches  in  upwards  of  seventy  languages  and  dialects,  amongst  which  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  seems  to  have  been  the  subject  of  intimate  study.  An  additional  value  is  given  to 
the  work  by  the  pronunciation  of  the  names  being  added  when  necessary,  and  by  the  clear- 
ness of  the  detail,  which  renders  it  useful  even  to  those  who  have  no  great  knowledge  of 
languages,  whilst  at  the  same  time  it  is  not  cumbered  with  a  redundancy  of  words."— im- 
coln  Times. 

Preparing  for  Publication. 

MANORIAL    CUSTOMS,    TENURES,    SERVICES, 
GRANTS,  etc.,  in  the  County  of  Essex. 

A   GLOSSARY   OF   PROVINCIAL   WORDS  used   in  the 

County  of  Essex. 

THE   ETYMOLOGY    OF    CORNISH    SURNAMES. 

THE  BASQUE,  and  its  connexion  with  other  Languages. 


^h 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 

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UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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