myrobalan
(maɪˈrɒbələn)
Forms: α. 6–8 miro-, (7 mera-, muro-), 6– myro-, mira-, myra-; (6 -bolon), 6–7 (9) -bolane, (7 -balane, 9 -balam, -um, -bolam, -um), 6– -bolan, -balan. β. 7 mira-, marablane.
[a. F. myrobolan (= It., Sp. mirabolano, Pg. myra-) or its source L. myrobalanum, a. Gr. µυροβάλανος (1) perh. the ben-nut, (2) in mod.Gr., emblic, f. µύρο-ν unguent, balsam + βάλανος acorn, date, ben-nut.
Known colloq. amongst dyers as m'rabs.]
1. The astringent plum-like fruit of species of Terminalia (family Combretaceæ), e.g. T. Bellerica (see belleric), T. Chebula (see chebule, chebulic), T. citrina: formerly used medicinally, but now chiefly in dyeing, tanning, and ink-making. emblic myrobalan: see emblic.
| α 1530 Palsgr. 245/2 Mirabolon a frute, mirabolan. 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 68 Myrabolones, callyd Kebuli. c 1540 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) 226 Putt therto of mirobolane cytrine pouldered, one vnce. 1562 W. Bullein Bulwarke, Bk. Simples (1579) 62 Who so vseth to eate often of Myrobalans being condite, shall not seeme olde, sayth Mesue. 1610 B. Jonson Alch. iv. ii, Shee melts Like a Myrobalane. 1611 Cotgr., Myrobalan citrin, the yellow, or Citron Myrobalan. 1626 Bacon Sylva §644 There be Fruits, that are Sweet before they be Ripe; As Myrabolanes. 1712 tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 141 The Indian Myrobalans are small long Fruit, of the Size of a Child's Finger End. 1803 Phil. Trans. XCIII. 267 The infusion of Myrobalans from the East Indies, differed from the other astringent infusions. 1883 Madras Mail 5 Dec. 21/1 It is only when the ruling price of myrabolams is too high that inferior tanning materials are in request. 1899 F. T. Bullen Log Sea-waif 205 Indian produce, of which cotton, linseed, and myrabolums formed the staple. |
| β 1617 Minsheu Ductor 8264 Mirablane. [Ibid. 8510 Myrabalane, 8514 Murobolane.] 1624 Ford & Dekker Sun's Darling ii. i, Marmalades,..ponadoes, marablane [etc.]. |
2. A variety of plum.
| 1664 [see primordial n. 2]. 1767 Abercrombie Ev. Man his own Gardener (1803) 673/1 Plums..Myrobalan, Apricot plum [etc.]. 1860 Hogg Fruit Man. 232 Plums..Cherry (Early Scarlet..Myrobalan). |
3. attrib., as
myrobalan tree;
† myrobalan ben,
† date, the ben-nut;
myrobalan plum,
† (
a)
= sense 1; (
b)
= sense 2.
| 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Myrobalanum, a Fruit, call'd by Apothecaries *Myrobalan Ben, or the Nut of Egypt. |
| 1601 Holland Pliny xii. xxii. II. 163 Of the *Myrabolan Date. |
| 1598 Florio, Citrino,..a kinde of *mirabolane plum. 1708 [see emblic]. 1731 Miller Gard. Dict., Prunus; fructu rotundo, nigro-purpureo... Myrabolan Plum. |
| 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 100 A greate multitude of certeine beastes..creping as thicke as antes aboute the *myrobolane trees. |