▪ I. † niˈcotian, n.1 Obs.
Also 6–7 -ane.
[ad. F. nicotiane or mod.L. nicotiana (see below).]
The tobacco-plant.
| 1577 Frampton Joyful News ii. 42 Thys hearbe is called Nicotiane of the name of him that gave the first intelligence thereof unto this Realme. 1597 Lyly Wom. in Moon iii. i, Gather me balme and cooling Violets, And of our holly hearbe Nicotian. 1607 T. Walkington Opt. Glass 105 To these I may..ioyn our adulterate Nicotian or Tobacco. 1672–3 Grew Anat. Roots ii. §51 The Aer-Vessels having a predominion to keep it from growing deep; as in Stramonium, Nicotian, Beet, &c. |
▪ II. nicotian, a. and n.2
(nɪˈkəʊʃ(ɪ)an)
[f. nicot- (see nicotiana) + -ian.]
A. adj. Of, or pertaining to, tobacco; arising from the use of tobacco.
| 1825 Scott Diary in Lockhart (1839) VIII. 118, I..laid aside the use of the Nicotian weed for many years. 1851 Hawthorne Snow Image, etc. (1879) 287 Heedless of the nicotian atmosphere. 1890 Spectator 7 June, Here is a fair specimen of..light nicotian humour. |
B. n.2
1. (See quot.)
| 1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 213/2 A tobacco-camphor, called nicotian, or nicotianin, which crystallizes, and is solid at the ordinary temperature of the air. |
2. A tobacco-smoker.
| 1872 O. W. Holmes Poet Breakf.-t. v. (1885) 120, [I] have been a Nicotian..more than half my days. |