ˈlily-pot
1. A flower-pot with a lily growing in it; a representation of this, commonly occurring as a symbolic accessory in pictures of the Annunciation, and hence frequent as a religious emblem.
| 1540 Invent. Ch. Goods in Gentl. Mag. Libr., Ecclesiology 157 A single vestment of white damask imbroidrede with lily pots. 1578–9 New Year's Gifts in Nichols Progr. Eliz. (1823) II. 251 A lylly pot of agathe, a lylly flower going owte of it garnesshed with roses of rubyes. 1898 Archæol. Jrnl. LV. 172 On the brass of Bishop Andreas at Posen, dated 1479,..the lily-pot forms the central upright band of the episcopal mitre. |
2. An ornamental vase imitating the ‘lily-pot’ of sacred art; in the early 17th c. app. spec. a tobacco-jar.
| 1610 B. Jonson Alch. i. iii, He keepes it [Tobacco] in fine Lilly-pots, that open'd, Smell like conserue of Roses, or French Beanes. c 1618 Fletcher Q. Corinth ii. iv, Vintner: Look into the Lilly-pot. a 1652 Brome Weeding Covent-Gard. ii. ii. (1658) 34 Vint. Y'are welcome, Gentlemen, take up the lillie-pot. |
b. Her. (See quot.: the use seems incorrect.)
| 1780 Edmondson Her. II. Gloss., Lily-pot see Covered Cup. |
† 3. A size of writing paper distinguished by the ‘lily-pot’ as a water-mark. Obs.
| 1589 G. Harvey Pierce's Supererog. (1592) 138 Stationers..find more gain in the lillypot blank than in the lilly-pot Euphued. |