Searchable Lemmata: ostrum (L).
Alternate Forms: ostro, ostri.
1a(n.)
Dye;
red or purple dye-stuff, made from the blood of the whelk; not to be confused with Latin osteum (oyster, cf. Ostia).(ante 700 - 1200 ?)
1. Conchylium dictum eo quod ex conchulis marinis color eius colligitur: idem et ostrum vocatur. Ostrum, quod pro colore purpurae temperatur, plurimis quidem in locis, sed optimum in insula Cypro gignitur sive in his quos propius solis cursus inluminat. Conchylia autem sunt maris, quae circumcisa ferro lacrimas purpurei coloris emittunt: his collectis color purpureus temperatur. Et ostrum exinde appellatum dicunt quod ex testae humore elicitur.
[DOE ISID. Etym. (19,28,2-4)]
7. Quamuis se tyrio superbus ostro comeret et niueis lapillis inuisus tamen omnibus uigebat luxuriae nero saeuientis : þeh þe hine mid tyriscum se modiga wurman geglengde and mid snauwhwitum stanum andsæte þeh hwæþere eallum he gestrangude galnysse proprium nomen reþgiendre.
[DOE BoGl (Hale) (0126 (M3.4.1))]
Sex: N/A Use: n/a Status: n/a Rank: n/a Ceremonial: No
Body Parts: N/A.
1b(adj.)
Dye;
of purple or dark red (as adj.).(circa 975)
Sex: N/A Use: n/a Status: n/a Rank: n/a Ceremonial: No
Body Parts: N/A.
2(n.)
Dye;
by extension, purple or dark red cloth; garments dyed purple or dark red; often used to indicate royal or noble status.(ante 700 - ante 1300)
Sex: Male, Female, Infant Use: n/a Status: High Rank: High Ceremonial: No
Body Parts: N/A.
