eyas
(ˈaɪəs)
Forms: 5 eyes, 6–7 yas, 6–9 eyess(e, 7 eyasse, (eyeass, iiaes), 7– eyas.
[Altered form of nyas, a. Fr. niais (= Pr. nizaic, It. nidiace):—L. *nīd(i)āc-em, f. nīdus nest. The dropping of initial n was due to an erroneous division of a nyas (cf. a nadder s.v. adder); the spelling eyas was suggested by popular association with ME. ey = egg and eyry; also with eye (see quots.).]
1. A young hawk taken from the nest for the purpose of training, or one whose training is incomplete.
| 1486 Bk. St. Albans B ij a, An hawke is calde an eyes of hir eyghen. 1575 Turberv. Bk. Falconrie 31 The firste name and terme that they bestowe on a falcon is an eyasse and this name dothe laste as long as she is in the eyrie. 1629 Massinger Picture v. i, So ho, birds, how the eyasses scratch and scramble! 1688 R. Holme Armoury ii. 236/2 An eyesse is..a young Hawk as long as she is in the Eyrie. 1820 Scott Abbot iv, Is it thus you feed the eyas with unwashed meat? 1869 Lowell Cathedr. Wks. (1879) 443 As when, an eyas, he followed his high heart To swim on sunshine. 1875 ‘Stonehenge’ Brit. Sports i. iv. i. §6. 296 This is very easy with the eyess or brancher. |
| fig. 1602 Shakes. Ham. ii. ii. 355 An ayrie of Children, little Yases, that crye out on the top of question. a 1625 Fletcher Woman's Prize i. ii, Hang these tame-hearted Eyasses. 1890 Saintsbury Hist. Elizabeth. Lit. xi. 426 One of the little eyasses who competed with regular actors. |
2. attrib., as
eyas-falcon,
eyas-hawk; in sense ‘unfledged, youthful’ as
eyas-thoughts,
eyas-wings. Also
eyas-musket (see
musket), used jocularly for a sprightly child.
| 1596 Spenser Hymns, Heavenly Love 24 Ere flitting Time could wag his eyas wings. 1598 Shakes. Merry W. iii. iii. 22 How now my eyas-Musket what newes with you? 1606 Chapman Marlowe's Hero & Leander iv, To still their eyas thoughts with industry. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Countrie Farme 708 The care of holding..your hawke..may intice you to esteeme the Iiaes hawke. a 1653 G. Daniel Idyll iv. 28 Our Eyeass Life Complaines vnpittied. 1826 Sebright Observ. Hawking (1828) 26 Magpies may be flown with eyess slight falcons. |