释义 |
adder's tonguen. Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: adder n.1, tongue n. Etymology: In α. forms < adder n.1 + tongue n., perhaps originally reflecting a genitive compound with unmarked first element (the reflex of the Old English weak genitive nǣdran ). In β. forms < the genitive of adder n.1 + tongue n. Compare Dutch addertong Ophioglossum (1554 in Dodoens in natertonghesken (with diminutive suffix)), German Natterzunge (beginning of the 15th cent. as nater zunge), Natternzunge (15th cent. as natern zung), both earliest in sense ‘dragon arum’, now in sense ‘Ophioglossum’. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular medicinal plants or parts > [noun] > other medicinal plants a1425 in T. Hunt (1989) 162 [Lingua serpentis minor] lasse eddertonge. ?a1450 (Stockh.) (1950) 169 (MED) Lingua serpentys is an herbe men clepe neddres tungge þe more [v.r. addertong]; þis herbe haȝt lewys lyk to affadille, but it is more grene. ?c1450 in (1896) 18 323 (MED) Dragaunce and serpentyn in same And nedderistonge, alle on be name. a1500 (?a1450) Treat. Gardening l. 170 in (1894) 54 166 Yn the moneth of Auerell Set & sow..Centory, horsel, adderstong', & bygull. ?1543 (new ed.) sig. Gii The lesse Adder tongue..hath leues somwhat lyke to Pygyll, and it hath a yelowe flower. 1794 J. Morse (rev. ed.) 145 Adder's Tongue (Convallaria bifolia). 1886 R. Holland Adder's-tongue, the plant Orchis mascula. Mid-Ches. 1923 L. Abrams (1940) I. 449 Scoliopus bigelovii Torr. California Fetid Adder's-tongue. 2004 R. Ornduff in D. Lake & P. M. Faber (rev. ed.) Introd. 14 The species [sc. Scoliopus bigelovii] is also called fetid adder's tongue, a reference to the apparently bad odor of its strange flowers. the world > plants > particular plants > ferns > [noun] > adder's tongue 1548 W. Turner sig. H.iij Lingus serpentina groweth in many places in England. It may be called in Greek Ophioglosson, in englishe Adders tonge. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens 135 Adders tonge is an herbe of a maruelous strange nature. 1597 J. Gerard ii. 327 Adders toong groweth in moist medowes throughout most parts of Englande. 1732 W. Ellis (ed. 2) 114 Take Rue and Adder's-Tongue, stamp them together, and squeeze out the Juice. 1820 J. Keats Lamia ii, in 40 The leaves of willow and of adder's tongue. 1862 D. T. Ansted & R. G. Latham ii. viii. 183 Two species of adders'-tongue (ophioglossum) are found in Guernsey. 1923 L. Abrams (1940) I. 2 Ophioglossum vulgatum L. Adder's-tongue. 1948 11 May 7/2 I have discovered another, much larger, colony of adder's tongue,..the numerous plants most unfernlike, but perhaps more resembling one-leafed orchids. 1981 46 311 Adder's tongue ferns, Ophioglossum, are notoriously difficult taxonomically. 2008 (Nexis) 8 Mar. (Features section) 5 The rare least and lesser adder's-tongue ferns. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular cultivated or ornamental plants > particular flower or plant esteemed for flower > [noun] > lily and allied flowers > allied flowers 1817 A. Eaton 39 Erythronium..dens-canis, (dog tooth violet, adder-tongue). 1822 2nd Ser. IX. 150 Plants, which are indigenous in the township of Middlebury, [Vermont, include]..Erythronium lanceolatum, (Pursh.) Adder's tongue. 1894 J. Burroughs 25 Erythronium... How it came to be called adder's-tongue I do not know; probably from the spotted character of the leaf, which might suggest a snake. 1917 24 Apr. 8/4 Who don't know the adder-tongue or dog-tooth violet which is found in moist woods or along stream banks? 1947 38 37 Yellow Adders-tongue [is] abundant in bottomland forest. 1967 B. J. Banfill x. 122 The earthy carpet, cushioned with pink and white flowers and yellow adder tongues. 2007 S. Ogden (ed. 2) v.130 Fawn lily and adder's tongue also refer to this foliage. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.a1425 |