† ˈireos Obs.
Also 5 yrios, 5–6 yreos, 6–7 irios.
[a. med.L. yreos, *ireos, an unexplained derivative or altered form of iris, arbitrarily applied to the white-flowered species in contrast to the purple (‘Yris purpureum florem gerit, yreos album’, Sinon. Barthol. 25/2).]
The Florentine Iris (Iris florentina), a species with large white flowers. b. The root of this, used in pharmacy; orris-root.
| [a 1387 Sinon. Barthol. (Anecd. Oxon.) 25/2 Yri, i. radicis quæ yreos appellatur.] c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 88 Þese medicyns ben sumwhat more driere: yrios [v.r. yreos], aristologie [etc.]. 1480 Wardr. Acc. Edw. IV (1830) 131 Lytill bagges of fustian stuffed with ireos and anneys xxvj. 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 11 a, Thinges good for a colde head: Cububes, Galingale..Spyke: Yreos. 1579 Langham Gard. Health (1633) 255 The Irios of Florence is taken for the best. 1615 Markham Eng. Housew. (1660) 92 Others to make sweet Water, take of Ireos two ounces [etc.]. |
| attrib. 1578 Lyte Dodoens ii. xxxv. 194 The Ireos rootes..are hoate and dry in the thirde degree. |