† weapon-salve Obs.
[Cf. G. waffensalbe.]
An ointment superstitiously believed to heal a wound by sympathetic agency when applied to the weapon by which the wound was made.
| 1631 W. Foster (title), Hoplocrisma-Spongus; or, A Sponge to wipe away the Weapon-Salve..wherein is proved, that the Cure late-taken up amongst us, by applying the Salve to the Weapon, is Magicall and unlawfull. 1633 Hart Diet of Diseased iii. xxx. 373 Cures..supposed to have been performed by the weapon-salve. a 1646 J. Gregory Posthuma, Serm. etc. (1649) 63 The Principal Ingredient of the weapon-Salv, is the Moss of a dead Man's-skul. 1670 Dryden Tempest v. i, Anoint the Sword which pierc'd him with this Weapon-Salve, and wrap it close from air till I have time to visit him again. 1830 Scott Demonol. vi. 191 The effects of healing by the weapon-salve. |
| fig. 1659 Stillingfl. (title), Irenicum. A Weapon-salve for the Churches Wounds. 1679 Alsop Melius Inq. Pref., The Title raised me on tip-toes to see..that famous Weapon-salve which might consolidate the Churches bleeding wounds. |