cypress
.
Searchable Lemmata: Cipre (AF), cipres (ME), cyperis (OScots), cypress (MdE).
Alternate Forms: cipre, ciprys, cypres, cypris, serpes, serpis, sipris, sypirs, sypres.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1(n.)
Textile;
originally cloth from Cyprus, brought back following the Crusades. A fine fabric resembling lawn or crepe.
From the sixteenth century, began to be used for a fine quality of satin. In Early Modern usage, usually used to refer to a thin, very fine fabric, used for veils, shrouds, kerchiefs, crepe, lawn fabric, etc. (cf. Twelfth Night, Olivia: 'a cypress, not a bosom, / Hides my heart', III.1.119-20).(ante 1350 - post 1600)
1. [413] ... Item, for vj yerdes of velvet uppon velvet, pyrled wyth goolde, prise the yerde, xxv s. ... [415] ... For a kercher of sypres paid to John Morys, xviij d.
Accounts.
[MED Acc.Howard in RC 57 (413-415) 1467]
Sex: N/A Use: n/a Ceremonial: No
Body Parts: N/A.
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, Old French Cipre, Cypre (Cyprus) / AF Cipre.
WF:
Etym Cog: Cyprus.
References:
