† sparrow-blastingn.
Obsolete.
The fact of being blasted or blighted by some mysterious power, sceptically regarded as unimportant or non-existent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > the occult > sorcery, witchcraft, or magic > enchantment or casting spells > [noun]
sigaldry?c1225
enchantery1297
enchantment1297
charminga1300
chantmentc1300
chantinga1382
forspeaking1483
fairyc1515
bewitching1535
enchanting1553
fascination1572
eye-biting1584
sparrow-blasting1589
effascination1624
enchant1634
maleficiation1649
spelling1665
glamour1793
weird1813
glamoury1821
ensorcellment1931
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > fact of being struck by
sparrow-blasting1589
1589 ‘Marphoreus’ Martins Months Minde To Rdr. sig. Bv No more praying against thunder and lightning, than against sparrowe blasting.
1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 35 To lock vp ones wife for fear of sparrow-blasting.
1617 J. Taylor Three Weekes Obseruations E 2 b Which two precious relickes, I brought home with me to defend me and all my friends from sparrow blasting.
1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter ii. 6 Otherwise they say, we pray against sparrow-blasting.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.1589