‖ spica
(ˈspaɪkə)
[L. spīca ear of grain, etc.: see spike n.1 In senses 3 and 4 after Gr. στάχυς.]
† 1. oil of spica, oil of spike. Obs.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 226 It is good..to comforte þe place wiþ oile of mastic, & oile of spica. |
2. Bot. A flower-spike.
| 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Spica, the long Tops of Herbs, as of Lavender, &c. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Spica-Nardi, The Ear or Spica, is about the Length and Thickness of a Finger. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. iii. iv. (1765) 173 Spica, a Spike, has sessile Flowers that are alternate and dispersed about a common Peduncle that is simple. 1793 Martyn Lang. Bot. s.v. 1856 Henslow Dict. Bot. Terms 177. |
3. Astr. A bright star in the constellation Virgo.
| 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Virgo, First of three [stars] under Spica. Ibid., Last, and North of 3 under Spica. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 373/1 Spica (α Virginis), a star of the first magnitude, is in the hand, which holds ears of corn, typical of the harvest. 1886 Sir R. Ball Story of Heavens xviii. (1897) 380 There is a fine equilateral triangle, whereof Arcturus and Spica form two of the corners. |
4. Surg. A form of bandage, the arrangement of which is suggestive of an ear of wheat or barley. Also attrib.
| 1731 Bailey (vol. II), Spica (with Surgeons), a band used in Hernias. 1758 J. S. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) 193 Covering the Wound with a proper Dressing, sustained by the Spica. 1846 F. Brittan tr. Malgaigne's Man. Oper. Surg. 420 A compress [was] laid on the course of the canal, with a spica bandage. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 2265/2 Spica,..a form of bandage resembling a spike of barley. The turns of the bandage cross like the letter V, each leaving a portion uncovered. |