musk balln.
/ˈmʌsk bɔːl/, U.S. /ˈməsk ˌbɔl/, /ˈməsk ˌbɑl/ Now historical. † 2. A ball of soap scented with musk. Obsolete.
1. A receptacle for musk; a pomander. Cf. must-ball at must n.2 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fragrance > perfume making > [noun] > container
musk ball1423
puff1436
casting-glass1544
perfuming pan1558
perfumer1591
pouncet-box1598
perfumier1601
sweet-bag1615
casting-bottle1638
perfuming pota1650
musk bag1687
smelling-bottle1722
scent-bottle1765
scent box1777
vinaigrette1811
scent jar1813
scent bag1816
scent ball1832
pouncet1843
scent casket1845
pot-pourri jar1848
cassolette1851
scent sachet1856
scent spray1858
lavender drawer1863
lavender bag1865
odorator1890
pot-pourri bowl1904
lavender sachet1938
1423 Rolls of Parl. IV. 219 i Muskball d'or.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 35 (MED) My muske bal of gold.
?1548 J. Bale Image Bothe Churches (new ed.) iii. sig. Bbviii The vessels of yuory comprehendeth al..their combes, their muske balles theyr pomaunder pottes [etc.].
1981 H. Newman Illustr. Dict. Jewelry 244 They [sc. pomanders] were sometimes called a ‘scent ball’ or a ‘musk ball’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing agents > [noun] > soap > form of soap
soft soap?a1425
washing-ball1538
ball1575
tablet1582
musk ball1589
liquid soap1600
soap-ball1601
wash-ball1601
savonette1702
brick soap1753
bar-soap1824
bar1834
sand-ball1846
soap powder1865
leaf1882
soap leaf1909
soap flakes1926
shower gel1970
1589 J. Rider Bibliotheca Scholastica 979 A muske ball, pastillus orbiculus.
1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene Looking Glasse sig. B2v We neuer vse..musk-balls to wash him with.
1594 R. Barnfield Affectionate Shepheard ii. xxvi. sig. Ciij Sell thy sweet breath to' th' daintie Musk-ball-makers.
1615 G. Markham Eng. Hus-wife in Countrey Contentments ii. ii. 81 To make Muske balls.
1704 ‘R. G.’ Accomplish'd Female Instructor ii. 156 Curious Musk-Balls, to carry about one, or to lay in any place. Let the Ground-work be fine Flower of Almonds, and Castle-soap, each a like quantity, seare the Soap thin [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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