Volume 1

A glossary, or, Collection of words, phrases, names, and allusions to customs, proverbs, etc., which have been thought to require illustration, in the works of English authors, particularly Shakespeare, and his contemporaries / [Robert Nares].

  • Robert Nares
Date:
1882
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A glossary, or, Collection of words, phrases, names, and allusions to customs, proverbs, etc., which have been thought to require illustration, in the works of English authors, particularly Shakespeare, and his contemporaries / [Robert Nares]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    They reported also, that it was in- closed in a crystal bottle, one side of which was rather opaque, to favour the deception. At Ridybone, and at the blood of Hayles, Where pilgrymes paynes ryght much avayles. Four Ps, 0. PL, i, 74. And therefore vow’st some solemn pilgrimage To holy Hayles, or Patrick’s purgatory. Drayt., Eel. 6, p. 1412. The site of the monastery belongs at present to C. H. Tracey, esq., of Toddington, to whom it descended from the viscounts Tracey, which title became extinct in 1797. Of the buildings little now remains, except part of the entrance tower and of a cloister. To HAYLSAY. To greet, to say hail! [To embrace ; see Halse.] And therwyth I turned me to Raphaell, and when we had haylsede tlione thother, and hadde spoken thies comen wordes, that be customably spoken, &c. More’s Utopia, by Robinson, B 4,1551. HAYWARD. The keeper of the cattle or common herd of a parish or vil- lage ; from hay, a hedge, and ward; because a chief part of his business was to see that the beasts did not break down or browze the hedges. “Hayward, custos agri.” Coles' Diet. The shepheards and hayvmrds assemblies and meet- ings, when they kept their cattel and heards. Puttenh. Art of Engl. Poetry, p. 30. Like several other disused words, it still remains in use as a surname. HEAD, prov. To give one's head for washing. This very odd proverb is used both by Beaumont and Fletcher and by Butler, and seems to imply, to yield tamely and without resist- ance, to give up your head as if it was only to be washed. I do not find it in Ray. I’m resolv’d. 1 Cit. And so am I, and forty more good fellows. That will not give their heads for the washing, I take it. Cupid’s Revenge, iv, 3. So talks Orsin in Hudibras : Eor my part it shall ne’er be said, I for the washing gave my head, Nor did I turn my back for fear. Hud., I, iii, 255. Sometimes it is the beard for the washing. A description of Exeter, quoted by Dr. Nash, says of the parson of St. Thomas, that “he was a stout man, who would not give his head for the polling, nor his beard for the washingThus, it seems only to mean that he would not be im- posed upon. +HEAD. Have at your head, i. e., away for a cuckold. Not if you stay at home, and warme my bed; But if you leave me, have at your head. Gough’s Strange Discovery, 1640. To take one in the head, to occur to his mind. Now, it tooice him in the head, and incensed was his desires (seeing Gaule now quieted) to set first upon Constantius. Holland’s Ammianus Marcellinus, 1609. To run on head, to incite. Thirdlie, to set cocke on hope, and run on heade. Hey wood’s Spider and File, 1556. To do on head, to act rashly. Abruptum ingenium, a rashe brayne that dooeth all thinges on head. Eliotes Dictionarie, 1559. To fly at the head, to attack. Fellow servant, I can very hardly refraine my selfe, but that I must needes^ee at the head of him. The ill shapen knave besides all other things commeth to flout and laugh us to scorne. Terence in Eng., 1614. To eat one's head off, said of an animal, to cost more than its worth in feeding. A. Spending my money, and feasting my lawyers; I have made an end of a waggon load of cheese, and five good guineas I brought to town with me, besides my mare has eaten her head off at the Ax in Alderman- bury : Zooks, wou’d I had gin the best tit in my team I’d ne’er seen London. The Country Farmer’s Catechism, 1703. fHEADLING. Headlong. Abire pessum, to reu hedlynge, to come to amischiefe. Elyotes Dictionarie, 1559. HEADSMAN. An executioner, when a person is to be beheaded. Come, headsman, off with his head. All’s W., iv, 3. Just as before the headsman one condemned, Who doth in life his death anticipate, And now upon the block his neck extend. For the fear’d stroke which must dispatch him straight. Fanshaw’s Lusiad, iii, 40. Dry den has used it (see Johnson), but it seems no longer current. •fHEAM. A horse-collar. Tomices. Pulvilli lana pilisve farti, quibus veteri- norum colla muniuntur ne obleedantur. Hors© heames, or horse collars. Nomenclator. f HE ART. Used sometimes as an ex- clamation. Jer. Heart! you would not unhorse Hercules for her father. Tragedy of Hoffman, 1631, Hearts of oak, very stout hearts, great courage. But here is a doozen of yonkers that have hearts of oalce at fourescore yeares. Old Meg of Herefordshire, 1609. Poor heart, a common expression for an object of commiseration. Mean. If you will know it then, he is in love. Jan. I pitty him indeed, poore heart: with whom? Cartwright’s Ordinary, 1651. Poor heart, I pity thee. Before thou come to half my years thou wilt forget to love half so truly. Brome’s Northern Lass.