† aˈgrest, a. and n. Obs.
[a. Fr. agreste, 14th c. a. It. (and Sp.) agreste:—L. agrest-is belonging to the field, f. ager, agr-um field.]
A. adj. Belonging to the open country, wild; hence, Rustic, rude.
| c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. xi. 324 The bay of myrte agrest. 1549 Compl. Scotl. (1873) 16 To support & til excuse my barbir agrest termis. 1553–87 Foxe A. & M. III. 637 By whose unmerciful Nature and agrest Disposition, very many were put to death. 1668 Howe Bless. Righteous (1825) 227 His more uncomely and aggressed manners. 1775 Ash, Agrest (not much used) belonging to the fields. |
B. n. A rustic, a countryman.
| 1480 Caxton Ovid's Metam. xv. iv, Th' agrestes that see thenne th' erbes & grasse enjoyen them. |