carl hemp
Also 6 churle hempe, charle hemp.
[from carl n.1 in sense ‘male’; but the name was actually given in 16th c. to what is now known to be the female plant (being the robuster and coarser).
(So in med.L., and other langs.; the popular error was pointed out by ray Hist. (1686) I. 159 ‘Mas robustior (haec nobis foemina dicitur quia prolifica)’, also by Linnæus Amœnitates (1746) I. 329; and fully discussed by Blair, Botan. Essays (1730) 246.)]
1. The female or seed-bearing hemp plant, which is of stronger growth, and produces a coarser fibre.
| 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §146 Thy female hempe must be pulled from the churle hempe, for that beareth no sede..The churle hempe beareth sede..the hemp therof is not soo good as the female hempe. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 32 Karle hempe, left greene, now pluck vp cleene. 1597 Gerarde Herbal ccxxvii. 572 The male is called Charle Hempe, and Winter Hempe. The female Barren Hempe, and Sommer Hempe. 1691 Ray N.C. Wds. (E.D.S.) s.v., Nostrates dicunt karl-cat pro fele masculo, et karl-hemp pro cannabo majori vel masculo. 1877 E. Peacock N.-W. Linc. Gloss. (E.D.S.) The carl or male hemp was used for ropes, sackcloth, and other coarse manufactures; the fimble, or female hemp, was applied to..domestic purposes. |
| fig. 1721 Kelly Sc. Prov. 373 (Jam.) You have a stalk of carle hemp in you;—spoken to sturdy and stubborn boys. 1789 Burns To Blacklock, Come Firm Resolve, take thou the van, Thou stalk o' carl-hemp in man. |
2. Also called shortly
carl.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 113 The fimble to spin and the karl for hir seede. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. (1586) 39 b, The female or firble Hempe is first pulled up, afterward the male or the carle, when his seede is ripe, is plucked up. (In mod. Trade and other Dicts.) |