‖ passe-velours Obs.
[F. passe-velours (pɑsvəlur), lit. ‘surpass velvet’, 16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.: see passe-.]
A former name for the cock's-comb (Celosia cristata), called also by Cotgrave Flower valure, Velvet flower; cf. floramour.
| 1597 Gerarde Herbal ii. xl. §3. 254 Amaranthus Tricolor. Floramor and Passeuelours. 1601 Holland Pliny xxi. x. 92 The Passe-veleur or Flower-gentle. 1611 Florio, Amaránto,..the flowre gentle or Passeuelours. 1706 in Phillips. |