† myrt Obs.
Also 5 mirte, 6 myrte, 7 mirt.
[ad. L. myrt-us, a. Gr. µύρτος. Cf. F. myrte, It., Sp., Pg. mirto.]
= myrtle.
| 1382 Wyclif Isa. lv. 13 For the nettle shal growe the tre that is clepid myrt. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 1094 Six sester old wyn do to mirtes bayis v pound. c 1550 Lloyd Treas. Health c 8 Syrupes of myrte, of licorise, of Calamente. 1589 Fleming Virg. Georg. i. 26 The frutes of bloudie myrts. 1615 R. Brathwait Strappado (1878) 170 Sweet-breath'd Sicamour and Mirt. |
b. attrib. (see also myrt-tree).
| 1535 Coverdale 2 Esdras (= Neh.) viii. 15 Pynebraunches, Myrtbraunches, Palmebraunches. 1561 Hollybush Hom. Apoth. 40 b, Stype Myrte berries in oyle of Violettes. 1562 Turner Herbal ii. 61 The brothe of Myrtilles or Myrte sedes. |