Corydon
(ˈkɒrɪdən)
[L. Corydon, Gr. κορύδων proper name, applied by Theocritus and Vergil to a shepherd: cf. Ecl. ii. 56 ‘Rusticus es Corydon’.]
A generic proper name in pastoral poetry for a rustic.
| 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 256 b, I suppose Coridon him selfe could not have done more rustically. 1603 H. Crosse Vertues Commw. (1878) 61 The shomaker must not goe beyond his latchet..nor schollers teach Coridon to holde the plough. 1632 Milton L'Allegro 83 Where Corydon and Thyrsis met, Are at their savoury dinner set..Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses. 1763 J. Cunningham To Shenstone, Corydon, a Pastoral iv, Give me my Corydon's flute. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair ii. xii. 191 ‘Gad, what a debauched Corydon!’ said my lord. |
Hence † Coryˈdonical a.
| 1656 S. Holland Zara 185 Being either not well in his Wits, or a Coridonicall Coxcombe. |