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| Line 156: |
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| • zyth. - zythum = 'zythos' (Egyptian beer)<br> | | • zyth. - zythum = 'zythos' (Egyptian beer)<br> |
| <br> | | <br> |
| | |
| | The symbol (℞) is short for 'recipe' and means 'take' in Latin. This is still used for prescriptions today as Rx.<br> |
| -------------------------------------------------- | | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Following list by Dr Robert Tallaksen:<br> | | Following list by Dr Robert Tallaksen:<br> |
| | | instructions and amounts:<br> |
| Instructions and Amounts<br>
| |
| • ā, ān., ana = of each a. c., p. c., ante/post cibum = before or after a meal<br> | | • ā, ān., ana = of each a. c., p. c., ante/post cibum = before or after a meal<br> |
| • ante pastum = before food<br> | | • ante pastum = before food<br> |
| Line 230: |
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|
| *The abbreviations for grain, "gr," and guttae, "gt," can look identical; if the ingredient is a liquid, e.g., a syrup, use "gt;" if a dry substance, use "gr."<br> | | *The abbreviations for grain, "gr," and guttae, "gt," can look identical; if the ingredient is a liquid, e.g., a syrup, use "gt;" if a dry substance, use "gr."<br> |
| | -------------------------------------------------- |
|
| |
|
| Types of recipes<br>
| |
| • apozema -atis = infusion, decoction, concentration by boiling<br>
| |
| • aq. X = water of X; common ingredient meaning water infused or distilled with X (e.g., rosewater)<br>
| |
| • arillus -i = seed/stone; uva passa detractis arillis, dried grapes with the seeds removed<br>
| |
| • balneum -i = bath<br>
| |
| • carminativus -a -um = serving to expel flatulence, as in "emplastrum carminativum"<br>
| |
| • cataplasm., cataplasma -is = poultice<br>
| |
| • clyster -eris = enema decoct., decoctio -onis = decoction<br>
| |
| • embroc., embrocatio -onis = an embrocation; like a liniment but of a thinner consistency, many types<br>
| |
| • eclegma, ecligma -atis = medicine to be taken by letting it melt in the mouth<br>
| |
| • elect., electuarium -i = electuary<br>
| |
| • empl., emplastrum -i = plaster; emplastrum Paracelsi is one of many<br>
| |
| • emuls., emulsio -onis = emulsion<br>
| |
| • fomentum -i, fomentatio -onis = poultice, dressing, compress; may be with warm liquids (fomentation)<br>
| |
| • gargarisma -ae = a gargle, throat-wash haust., haustus -us = draught<br>
| |
| • liniment., linamentum -i = liniment; l. arcei = liniment of Arceus, linimentum elemi (see below under gummi)<br>
| |
| • lohoch, linctus = medicine that is to be taken by licking<br>
| |
| • pill., pillulae = pill(s)<br>
| |
| • possetum -i, liquor posseticus = posset; milk curdled with treacle, wine, or any acid substance<br>
| |
| • potus -us = drink<br>
| |
| • ptisan., ptisana -ae = decoction of vegetable matters, e.g., barley, licorice, or raisins; a tisane<br>
| |
| • pulv., pulver., pulvis -eris = powder
| |
| • purg., purgatio -onis = laxative
| |
| • trochisc. - trochiscus -i = troche (lozenge)
| |
| • ungu., vngu., unguentum -i = oil
| |
| •. salve, or ointment; for some types, see below<br>
| |
|
| |
| Ingredients and Descriptions•
| |
| abrotan., abrotanum -i = artemisia<br>
| |
| absynth., absynthium -i = wormwood<br>
| |
| acetos., acetosa -ae = sorrel<br>
| |
| acet., acetum -i = vinegar agaric., agaricum -i = bracket fungus <br>
| |
| alchermes, alkermes(confectio -onis) = confection of Kermes (crimson insect, cf. cochineal)<br>
| |
| alkakengi, alkekengi = winter cherry<br>
| |
| Physalis alkekengi, a diuretic aloe -es = aloe<br>
| |
| Aloe hepatica, common aloe alb.,<br>
| |
| albus -a -um = white<br>
| |
| alhandal = Arabic name for colocynth; troches of alhandal also contained bdellium & gum tragacanth<br>
| |
| alth., althea -ae = mallow or marshmallow; also malvaviscus, q.v. ammoniac., ammoniacum -i = gum ammoniac<br>
| |
| aneth., anethum -i = dill<br>
| |
| anis., anisum -i = anise; semina anisi, aniseed<br>
| |
| aq., aqua -ae = water; aqua fontis, spring or well water<br>
| |
| aqua vitae = distilled spirit argill., argilla -ae = argil, argillaceous earth, alumina aristoloch., aristolochia -ae = birthwort<br>
| |
| aromat. rosat., aromaticum rosatum = aromatic medicine containing roses<br>
| |
| artemis., artemisia -ae = various species including southernwood, wormwood, mugwort, etc.<br>
| |
| asar., asarum -i = asarabacca or hazelwort aven., avena -ae = oats bacc., bacca -ae = berry<br>
| |
| balsam., balsamum -i = balsam, any strongly scented resin; many types; can be solid, e.g., benzoin, or fluid, e.g., Peruvian balsam, balsam of Tolu<br>
| |
| basilic. = see ung., vng. basilic below<br>
| |
| bechicus -a -um = for a cough<br>
| |
| bechion bechii = coltsfoot, Tussiago farfara<br>
| |
| bdell., bdellium -i = gum resin from shrubs of Balsamodendron spp., used as pectoral (for diseases of the chest) and emmenagogue (to promote menstrual flow)<br>
| |
| becabung., Veronica beccabunga = water pimpernel, brooklime<br>
| |
| bened. laxat., benedicta laxativa or benedictum laxativum = another name for rhubarb, or the laxative electuary made from it<br>
| |
| benzoin. = gum obtained from Styrax benzoin<br>
| |
| berber., berberis = barberry<br>
| |
| beton., betonica -ae = betony bezoard., bezoardic., bezoardicus -i = bezoar (several types, e.g., mineral, resinous, fibrous)<br>
| |
| bol. armen., bolus -i Armeniae = Armenian bole, bole armoniac; an argillaceous earth borac., borax (-acis?) = borax (sodium borate)<br>
| |
| breakstone, pass-breakstone = saxifrage bryon., bryonia -ae = briony bugloss., buglossa = bugloss (various species of Anchusa) calaminth., calamintha -ae = calamint; various species of Calamintha camphor., camphora -ae = camphor
| |
| capill. vener., capillus veneris = (Adiantum capillus-veneris), maidenhair fern cappar., capparis -is = caper cardiac., cardiacus -a -um; aqua cardiaca = cordial water card., carduus -i = thistle (various species)
| |
| card. bened., carduus benedictus = centaurea benedicta, holy thistle; widely used*
| |
| cardam., cardamomum -i = cardamom carlin., carlina -ae = carline or silver thistle caro carnis = meat, flesh
| |
| carui., carum -i = caraway caryophill., caryophillus -i = clove caseum -i = cheese cass., cassia -ae = cassia (various species; e.g, Cassia fistula, purging cassia) castoreum -i = castoreum; beaver musk
| |
| C.C. = cornu cervi (hartshorn) centaur. - centaurium -i = centaury
| |
| cera -ae = wax; cera citrina = beeswax
| |
| ceras. nigr., cerasum -i nigrum = black cherry; aqua cerasorum nigrorum, black cherry water
| |
| ceruss., cerussa -ae = carbonate of lead, white lead cervis., cervisia -ae = beer chalyb., chalybs chalyibis = steel chamamel., chamaemelum -i = chamomile cich., cichor., cichorium -i = chicory, endive, wild succory
| |
| cinamomi., cinnamomum -i = cinnamon
| |
| citrin., citrinula -ae = a small citron or lemon colcothar = iron peroxide, jeweller's rouge; also called crocus martis colocynth., colocynthis -idis = Citrullus colocynthis, bitter-apple, a purgative
| |
| colophon., colophonia -ae = resin obtained by distillation of turpentine with water
| |
| commun., communis -e = common
| |
| conf., confect., confectio -onis = same as conserva -ae
| |
| confectio -onis hyacinthi = not from the flower, but an astringent containing many ingredients including zircon (called hyacinth from its color), red coral, bole armoniac, myrrh, alkermes, etc.
| |
| cons., conserv., conserva -ae = compound of vegetable, fruit, etc., with sugar
| |
| cor., corium -i = leather
| |
| coral., corallium -i = general name for coral; types include black, red, and white
| |
| coriand., coriandrum -i = coriander
| |
| cortic., cortex -icis = bark
| |
| cort. winteran. = cortex winterani, Drimys winteri, antiscorbutic; named after a Captain Winter coton. = cotton cret., creta -ae = chalk croc., crocus -i = saffron, crocus flower
| |
| croc., crocus -i = several preparations of metals; e.g., cr. antimonii (antimony), cr. veneris (copper)
| |
| cucum. agrest., Cucumis (-eris) agrestis = Momordica elaterium, wild cucumber, a purgative
| |
| cumin., cuminum -i = cumin dia-x = preparation containing x; e.g., diabotanum (herbs); diacarcinon (from crabs, antidote for rabies); diachylon cum gummi or d. simplex (juices of herbs); diacurcuma (turmeric); diamoschus (deer musk); diapalma (desiccating plaster containing palm oil, litharge, and zinc sulfate); diaphenaenicon (date); diaturbith (Convolvulus turptethum)
| |
| cydoniac., cydonium -i = quince; consistentia cydionaci, the consistency of a quince
| |
| diacatholicon = a laxative electuary containing senna, cassia, tamarinds, etc.
| |
| diacod., diacodium -i = syrup of poppies
| |
| diagrid., diagryd, diagrydium -i = scammony
| |
| diair., = either from diaireos, an antidote that contained Iris, or diaium, a troche which had violets as its main ingredient dictamn., dictamnus -i = dittany, pennyroyal ebul. ebulus -i = danewort, dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus)
| |
| enula -ae = elecampane eupator., eupatorium -i = agrimony fab., faba -ae = bean
| |
| faecul., faecula -ae = sediment, e.g., wine dregs, or material that falls to the bottom after grinding plant material in water
| |
| faenic., faeniculum -i = fennel
| |
| farin., farina -ae = flour, meal; farina tritici, wheat flour which may be spelled "flower"
| |
| fic., ficus -i = fig
| |
| fim., fimus -i = dung, excrement
| |
| flor., flos floris = flower; e.g., flores nymphaeae, water lily flowers fl., flos floris sulphuris = flowers of sulfur; sublimed sulfur
| |
| fol., folium -i = leaf
| |
| fontan., fontana (aqua) = spring (-water)
| |
| fraxin., fraxinus -i = ash-tree fumar., fumaria -ae = fumitory gagat., gagates = jet (stone)
| |
| galban., galbanum -i = gum resin from Ferula gummosa or F. rubrucaulis
| |
| genist., genista -ae = broom
| |
| gent., gentiana -ae = gentian; Gentiana lutea, officinal gentian, G. centaurium, lesser centaury
| |
| gland., glans glandis = acorn
| |
| glicirriz., glycheriz., glycheryz., glychyrriza -ae = licorice guaiac., guaiacum -i (lignum) = guaiac (wood)
| |
| gumm., gummi (undecl.) = [tree] gum; gumm. arabic. = gum arabic, gum acacia; gummi elemi, a resin from the tree Amyris rumieri or gum elemi tree
| |
| hamech. = confectio hamech, purgative containing fumitory
| |
| helenium -i = see "inula" below
| |
| hedera -ae = ivy hermodactyl., hermodactylus -i = a bulbous root, possibly Colchicum, used as an antiarthritic herniar., herniaria -ae = rupturewort
| |
| hier. picr., hiera picra, or hiera/hieræ = aloe powder made with honey into an electuary
| |
| inula -ae (hinula -ae) campana = Inula helenium, Enula campana; elecampane
| |
| hord., hordeum -i = barley ialap., jalap., jalapa = jalap (Ipomoea jalapa), a purgative iugland., jugland., iuglans -andis = walnut
| |
| iuniper., iuniperus -i = juniper; granum juniperi = juniper berry (its seed cone)
| |
| jujuba -ae = jujube; see Zizyphus below labdan., labdanum = labdanum, gum resin from plants of genus Cistus, used for perfumes
| |
| lac., lact., lac lactis = milk
| |
| laevigatus -a -um = made smooth, pulverized lappath., lapathum = dock, sorrel; L. acutum = broad-leafed dock; also oxylapathum laudan., laudanum -i = laudanum; alcoholic tincture of opium lign., lignum -i = wood
| |
| lillior., lilliorum = of lilies
| |
| lin., linum -i = flax
| |
| liquirit., liquiritia -ae = licorice liquor = liquid, liquor
| |
| lujul., lujula = oxalis; O. acetosa, wood sorrel
| |
| litharg., lytharg., lithargium -i = litharge, lead oxide; can be white ("litharge of silver") or red ("litharge of gold")
| |
| mac., macis = mace malvatic., malvaticum (vinum) = Malmsey (wine of the Malvasia grape); Madeira/sack
| |
| malvavisc., malvaviscus -i = marshmallow, Althaea officinalis mastich., masticha = mastic, resin of Pistacia lentiscus
| |
| mechoach., mechoanna -ae = Convolvulus mechoacan; of Mexican origin mecon., meconium -i = opium
| |
| mel., mel mellis = honey; melle = with honey meliss., melissa -ae = balm; several species also including common, field, & mountian calamint
| |
| merc. dulc., mercurius dulcis = mercurous chloride; calomel
| |
| mespil., mespilus -i = medlar
| |
| meum = Aethusa meum or Meum athamanticum: spignel
| |
| milliped., millipes -pedis = pill-millipede or wood-louse; pulv. milliped., powdered millipede mithridat., mithridatium -i = mithridate; complex recipe, up to 60+ ingredients, including opium moschat., (nux) moschata = nutmeg myrabalan., myrabalanum -i = Phyllantus emblica, Indian gooseberry
| |
| nigr., niger -gra -grum = black nuc., nux nucis = nut nucl., nucleus -i = nut
| |
| nymph., nymphaea -ae = water lily
| |
| ol., oleum -i = oil (many varieties)
| |
| ol. philosoph., oleum -i philosophi = philosopher's oil, made from distilling pieces of brick soaked in oil
| |
| olibanum -i = an aromatic resin from trees of genus Boswellia, esp. B. sacra opt., optim., optimus -a -um = best ovin., ovinus -a -um = relating to or belonging to sheep
| |
| oxycrat., oxycratum -i = oxycrate (mixture of vinegar and water with a little honey)
| |
| oxymel = honey and vinegar boiled to a syrup
| |
| oxymel Julianiz., oxymel Iulianizans = a syrup containing the above, also caper root bark, iris root, fennel, rock parsley, endive, etc. papav., papaver -eris = poppy; many species, including P. somniferum, opium poppy paralys., paralysis -is = cowslip, e.g., P. fatua (Gerard); also in the usual sense of loss of function part., pars partis = part, side
| |
| passul., passula -ae = a small raisin; passula Corinthiaca, Corinthian raisin; also uva -ae (grapes) Corinthiacae
| |
| pastinac., pastinaca -ae = parsnip
| |
| peru., peruvianus -a -um = Peruvian; e.g, Cortex peruviana (Cinchona), source of quinine pentaphyll., pentaphyllum -i = cinquefoil
| |
| pic., pix picis = pitch; pix Burgundia, Burgundy pitch, from Norway fir pingued., pinguedin., pinguedo -inis = fat (noun)
| |
| pingu., pinguis -is = fat (adjective) polypod., polypodium -i = polypody, a genus of fern; e.g., polypody of the oak (Polypodium quercinum, P. vulgare), or of the wall
| |
| popul., populus -i = poplar tree; for unguentum populeon, see below
| |
| prunell., prunella -ae = self-heal, bugle puleg., pulegium -i = pennyroyal; also fleabane or fleawort
| |
| pulm. vulp., pulmones vulpium = fox lungs pulpa -ae = pulp (of anything)
| |
| quercin., quercinus -a -um = made/ derived from oak; folia quercina, oak leaves
| |
| rad., radic., radix -icis = root
| |
| raphan., raphanus -i = radish
| |
| recent., recens -entis = recent, new, fresh; e.g., lactis recentis, of fresh milk resin., resina -ae = resin rhab., rhabarbarum -i = rhubarb
| |
| rhei., rheum -i = rhubarb rosac., rosaceus -a -um = made of or from roses; oleum rosaceum = rose oil rosmarin., rosmarinus -i = rosemary
| |
| ruber rubra rubrum = red
| |
| ruta -ae = rue
| |
| sabin., sabina = Juniperus sabina, savin (a juniper species)
| |
| sal X = salt of X; numerous examples, including table salt and other acid and alkali salts. See elsewhere for definition of "X," e.g., sal absynthii; sal marini = sea salt<br>
| |
| sacchar., saccharum -i = (cane) sugar; also saccharum candidum, sugar candy<br>
| |
| sambuc., sambucus -i = elder tree<br>
| |
| sangu. dracon., sanguis -is draconis = dragon's blood, a red resin made from various trees <br>
| |
| santal., santalum -i = sandalwood, saunders; red, white, and yellow varieties<br>
| |
| santonic., sem. santonic., semina santonica = southernwood seeds (Artemisia santonica) or wormseeds (Absinthium santonicum) <br>
| |
| saxifrag., saxifraga -ae = saxifrage, breakstone; for treatment of urinary stones, also an antiseptic scill., scilla -ae = see squill below<br>
| |
| scord., scordium -i = Teucrium scordium, water germander<br>
| |
| scorzon., scorzonera = Scorzonera humilis, viper's grass, for treatment of any venomous bit<br>
| |
| seb., sebum -i = tallow, suet, grease<br>
| |
| secalini., secale -is = a kind of grain; likely rye or black spelt
| |
| sed., sedum -i = wall-pepper, stone-crop <br>
| |
| S. majus = sempervivum see below sem., semen -inis, (plural) semina = seed(s) semperviv.,
| |
| sempervivum -i = S. tectorum, houseleek ("live forever," because it is always green) sen., sena -ae = senna ser.,<br>
| |
| serum -i = milk whey; also "serum lacti," "whey of milk"<br>
| |
| simpl., simplex simplicis = single ingredient, unblended; same as species spec., species = a simple, or single ingredient or element; i.e., uncompounded or unmixed<br>
| |
| spic., spica -ae = a spike or common stalk bearing numerous flowers; Spica foemina = lavender<br>
| |
| squill., squilla -ae = squill; Scilla maritima, used as diuretic and expectorant<br>
| |
| stercus -oris = dung, excrement suc[c]in., suc[c]inum -i = amber<br>
| |
| succ., succus -i = juice symphit., symphitum -i = comfrey; symphytum maius = greater comfrey<br>
| |
| tapsus -i barbatus = Verbascum nigrum, black mullein tax., taxus -i = yew tree (Taxus baccata); or badger, Taxidea taxus; pinguedo Taxi = badger fat <br>
| |
| terebinth., terebinthina -ae = turpentine; terebinth. uenet. (Veneta), Venice turpentine; many others including terebinthina communis, Chia, Cypria, <br>
| |
| vulgaris test., testa -ae = shell of a molllusc, or the skin or coating of a seed<br>
| |
| thebaic., thebaica -ae = opium; thebaic tincture or extract = laudanum<br>
| |
| theriac., theriaca -ae = antidote; treacle; Theriaca andromachi = mithridatium (q.v.) thur., thus thuris = frankincense<br>
| |
| tutia -ae = tutty; zinc oxide<br>
| |
| ung., vng. apostol., unguentum apostolorum = containing 12 ingredients incl. turpentine, resin, yellow wax, aristolochia, frankincense, etc.<br>
| |
| ung., vng. basilic., or just basilic., unguentum basilicum = basilicum ointment; yellow, black, or green, each containing beeswax and rosin and other ingredients but no basil<br>
| |
| ung., vng. alb., unguentum album = ointment containing olive oil, white wax, and white lead<br>
| |
| unguentum Egyptiac., Egyptiacum = ointment containing verdigris (copper acetate or green rust from copper or brass), honey, and vinegar<br>
| |
| unguentum populeon = ointment containing poplar buds, animal fat, and various leaves<br>
| |
| urtic., vrtic., urtica -ae = nettle<br>
| |
| uva -ae = grape<br>
| |
| vin., vinum -i = wine; vinum album, white wine; vinum rubrum/ rubellum/ roseum, red wine<br>
| |
| viola -ae = violet vitell., vitellus -i = egg yolk; vitelli ovorum, yolks of eggs<br>
| |
| vitis -is = vine; folia vitis, grape leaves<br>
| |
| vitriol., vitriolum -i = vitriol; various metallic sulfates, esp. iron sulfate; v. album, zinc sulfate<br>
| |
| vulgar., vulgaris -e = common, usual<br>
| |
| vulp., vulpes -is = wolf<br>
| |
| zizyphus -i = jujube; from Zizyphus species, e.g., Z. jujuba, tree that produces them; jujubinus -a -um, relating to jujubes; e.g., syrupus jujubinus, jujube syrup<br>
| |
| zyth., zythum -i = zythos (unfermented Egyptian beer)<br>
| |
| zz or ZZ = zinziber = ginger (sometimes myrrh)<br>
| |
|
| |
| *Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, 3, iv, 73-5: "Get you some of this distilled Carduus benedictus, and lay it to your heart: it is the only thing for a qualm.
| |
| The symbol (℞) is short for 'recipe' and means 'take' in Latin. This is still used for prescriptions today as Rx.<br>
| |
| [[Category: Manuscripts]] | | [[Category: Manuscripts]] |
| [[Category: Transcriptions]] | | [[Category: Transcriptions]] |
| [[Category: Shakespeare's World]] | | [[Category: Shakespeare's World]] |
| [[EMMO]] | | [[EMMO]] |
This article features two vocabulary lists of the Latin words and abbreviations in the diaries of John Ward, Folger MS V.a.284 -299.
The first list is the work of Callum Simms, a transcriber on Shakespeare's World (a crowd-sourced project between the Folger Shakespeare Library, Zooniverse and the OED, sponsored by EMMO). Some of John Ward's diaries have been transcribed by volunteers on Shakespeare's World. On Shakespeare's World's talk feature, Callum Simms is known as @IntelVoid.
The second list is the work of Dr Robert Tallaksen, a reader and transcriber at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
John Ward was the vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon from 1662 to 1681. The Folger Shakespeare Library has 16 of his 17 diaries. More information on John Ward can be found in A Semi-Diplomatic Transcription of Selections from the John Ward Diaries.
Following list by Callum Simms:
• ā - for originally Greek 'ana' = 'of each'
• bib. - bibo = 'drink' - 'bibat' or 'bibatur' ('let him drink', 'let X be drunk')
• cap. - capio = 'take'
• cum = 'with' - often Ward marks non-abbreviated words with an apostrophe
• decoq. - decoquo = 'boil down / reduce'
• e, ex = 'out of / from'
• ebull. - ebullio = 'boil'
• et = 'and'
• f. - facio = 'make'
• (in)fund. - (in)fundo = 'pour (in)'
• in = 'in, into'
• inung. - inunguo = 'salve, rub ointment on'
• m. - misceo = 'mix'
• mane = 'in the morning'
• nocte = 'at night'
in alphabetical order:
• alb. - albus = 'white'
• aq. - aqua = 'water'. 'Water of X' is a common ingredient that means water infused with X (c.f. rosewater).
• bacc. - bacca = 'berry'
• commun. - communis = 'common'
• cortic. - cortex = 'bark'
• decoct. - decoctio = 'decoction'
• fol. - folium = 'leaf'
• gran. - granum = 'kernel'
• gutt. - gutta = 'drop'
• haust. - haustus = 'draught'
• lign. - lignum = 'wood'
• liquor = 'liquid, liquor'
• nigr. - niger = 'black'
• nuc. - nux = 'nut'
• nucl. - nucleus = 'nut'
• officin. - officinalis = 'medicinal'
• ol. - oleum = 'oil'
• optim. - optimus = 'best'
• part. - pars = 'part, side'
• pulveriz. - pulverizatus = 'powdered'
• radic. - radix = 'root'
• semin. - semen = 'seed'
• spec. - species = 'simple' - a 'simple' is a single-ingredient powder
• sal = 'salt' - 'Salt of X' is the name of a number of alchemical products which nowadays have chemical formulae.
• trochisc. - trochiscus - 'troche' (a lozenge)
• ust. - ustus = 'burnt'
• vulgar. - vulgaris = 'common'
ingredients in alphabetical order:
• absynth. - absynthium = 'wormwood'
• acetos. - acetosa = 'sorrel'
• acet. - acetum = 'vinegar'
• agaric. - agaricum = 'tinder fungus'
• alchermes (confectio) = confection of 'Kermes' (crimson 'berry' bug - like cochineal)
• aloe optim. = 'agarwood'
• alth. - althea = 'mallow'
• ammoniac. - 'ammoniacum' = 'gum ammoniac'
• argill. - argilla = '(white) potter's clay, argil'
• aristoloch. - aristolochia = 'birthwort'
• artemis. - artemisia = 'mugwort'
• aven. - avena = 'oats'
• bacon. - baco = 'bacon'
• bezoardic. - bezoardicum = 'bezoar' (antimony salt)
• borac. - borax = 'borax'
• bryon. - bryonia = 'briony'
• bugloss. - buglossa = 'bugloss'
• calaminth. - calamintha = 'calamint'
• camphor. - camphora = 'camphor'
• cappar. - capparis = 'caper'
• cardiac. - (aqua) cardiaca = 'toddy' (a beverage - palm wine?)
• card. - carduus = 'thistle'
• carlin. - carlina = 'carline/silver thistle'
• carn. - caro = 'meat, flesh'
• caryophill. - caryophillus = 'clove'
• caseum = 'cheese'
• cass. - cassia = 'cassia' (a type of cinnamon)
• castoreum = 'castoreum' (beaver musk)
• centaur. - centaurium = 'centaury'
• cervis. - cervisa = 'beer'
• chalyb. - chalybs = 'steel'
• chamamel. - chamamelon = 'chamomile'
• cichor. - cichoria = 'chicory, endive'
• colcothar = 'colcothar, jeweller's rouge' (Ferric Oxide)
• cor. - corium = 'leather'
• coton. - cotone = 'cotton'
• cret. - creta = 'chalk'
• croc. - crocus = 'saffron, crocus flower'; (alchemical) 'liver' - crocus metallorum = liver of antimony
• cumin. - cuminum = 'cumin'
• dia-x = medicine containing x. Usually no other name than the Latin one.
• dictamn. - dictamnus = 'dittany'
• ebul. - ebulum = 'danewort'
• eupator. - eupatoria = 'agrimony'
• fab. - faba = 'broad bean' (= horse, fava)
• faecul. - faecula = 'salt of tartar' (potassium carbonate)
• farin. - farina = 'flour, meal'
• fim. - fimus = 'dung'
• fontan. - fontana (aqua) = 'spring' (-water)
• fumar. - fumaria = 'fumitory'
• gagat. - gagates = 'jet' (stone)
• guaiac. - guaiacum (lignum) = 'guaiac' (wood)
• gumm. - gummi = [tree] 'gum'
• hermodactyl. - hermodactylus = 'hermodactyl' (meadow crocus / autumn saffron roots, not black iris)
• herniar. - herniaria = 'rupturewort'
• iuniper. - iuniperus = 'juniper'; granum juniperi = juniper berry (actually a seed cone)
• jalap. - jalapa = 'jalap'
• jugland. - juglans = 'walnut'
• labdan. - labdanum = 'labdanum' (sticky brown resin from rock roses)
• lappath. - lap(p)athum = 'dock, sorrel'; L. acutum = broad-leafed dock
• laudan. - laudanum = 'laudanum'
• lin. - linum = 'flax'
• lujul. - lujula = 'wood sorrel'
• mac. - macis = 'mace'
• malvatic. - malvaticum (vinum) = 'Malmsey' (wine of the Malvasia grape) - Madeira/Sack
• mastich. - masticha = 'mastic'
• mecon. - meconium = poppy juice (opium)
• meliss. - melissa = 'lemon balm'
• mithridat. - mithridatum = 'Mithridate'
• moschat. - moschata (nux) = 'nutmeg'
• ovin. - ovinus (from ovis) = 'sheep'
• oxycrat. - oxycratum = 'oxycrate' (mixture of vinegar and water)
• papav. - papaver (erraticum) = '(common) poppy'
• paralys. - paralysis = 'cowslip'
• pastinac. - pastinaca = 'parsnip, carrot'
• pentaphyll. - pentaphyllum = 'cinquefoil'
• pinguedin. - pinguedo = 'fat'
• polypod. - polypodium = 'polypody', rockcap fern
• puleg. - pule(g)ium = 'pennyroyal' (/fleabane /fleawort)
• resin. - resina = 'resin, rosin'
• rhab. - rhabarbarum = 'rhubarb'
• rosac. - rosaceum = 'rose oil'
• rosmarin. - rosmarinus = 'rosemary'
• sabin. - sabina = 'savin' (a juniper species)
• sacchar. - saccharum = 'cane sugar'
• santal. - santalum = 'sandalwood'; S. citrinum = citrine/yellow sandalwood
• saxifrag. - saxifraga = 'saxifrage, rockfoil' ('breakstone' in Ward)
• scord. - scordium = 'water germander'
• seb./sev. - se(b/v)um = 'tallow, suet, grease'
• sed. - sedum = 'houseleek'
• semperviv. - sempervivum = 'houseleek' ('liveforever')
• sen. - sena = 'senna'
• ser. - serum = 'whey'
• spic. - spica = 'lavender'
• sucin. - sucinum = 'amber'
• symphit. - symphitum (maius) = (greater) 'comfrey'
• tax. - taxus = 'yew'; 'badger'
• terebinth. - terebinthina = 'turpentine'
• test. - testa = 'shell'
• theriac. - theriaca = 'antidote', 'antivenom', 'treacle'
• thur. - thus = 'frankincense'
• zyth. - zythum = 'zythos' (Egyptian beer)
The symbol (℞) is short for 'recipe' and means 'take' in Latin. This is still used for prescriptions today as Rx.
Following list by Dr Robert Tallaksen:
instructions and amounts:
• ā, ān., ana = of each a. c., p. c., ante/post cibum = before or after a meal
• ante pastum = before food
• applic., applico -are = apply; e.g., applica ventris = apply to the abdomen
• bib., bibo -ere = drink; bibit (she/he drinks), bibat (let her/him drink) or bibatur (let X be drunk)
• bullio -ire = boil; bulliant, they should boil
• calcino -are = to calcine; reduce by roasting or burning to a powder or friable substance; una calcinentur, let them be calcined together
• cap., capio -ere = take; also capiat (let him/her take) and capiatur (let X be taken)
• clarific., clarifico -are = clarify
• coch., cochleare = spoonful(s)
• colatus -a -um (also incolatus) = strained, filtered, purified (from colo -are, to strain, filter)
• compos., compositus -a -um = adj., compound; composed, prepared
• cong., congius -i = gallon
• contund., contundo -ere = bruise, crush, beat
• contus., contusus -a -um = adj., bruised, crushed, beaten coq., coqu., coquo -ere = boil
• crebro = adv., frequently, repeatedly
• cum = with - often with a macron: cū
• d., dos., dosis = dose decoq., decoquoere = boil down / reduce
• diluculi., diluculum -i = at daybreak; alternis diluculis, every other morning at dawn
• e, ex = out of / from ebull., ebullio -ire = boil et = and f., facio -ere = make
• fiat X = let X be done/made
• foveo -ere = keep warm; foveatur, let her/him/it be kept warm
• gran. - granum = grain (apothecary measure)* gt, gutt, gutta -ae = drop*
• h. s., hora somni = at bedtime in = in, into
• (in)fund. - (in)fundo -ere = pour (in)
• insideat = let her/him sit (in a bath)
•. inspissat., inspissatus -a -um = adj., thickened, condensed
•. inung., inunguo -ere = rub on (e.g., salve, ointment)
• lb = pound; some liquid measures are in pounds rather than volume m., misc., misceo -ere = mix; misceantur, let them (ingredients) be mixed
• m. f. = misce faci/ fiat, mix the ingredients and make X, or let X be made (e.g., pills, electuary) mane = in the morning
• mortarium -i = mortar; contunde in mortario, crush in a mortar
• mass., massa -ae = the compound out of which pills, etc., are formed
• mundat., mundatus -a -um = cleaned
• no. or no = numero, for the number of things; e.g. succ. Limon. no ii, juice of two lemons nocte = at night
• officin., officinalis -e = from officina -ae, a shop; any medicine directed to be kept in shops
• ꝑreꝑ. or preꝑ.= preparatus -a -um (conjectured)
• paratur = it is prepared; e.g., paratur vnguent., an ointment is prepared
• permisceo -ere = mix thoroughly; permisceantur, let them (ingredients) be thoroughly mixed
• pulveriz., pulverizatus -a -um = powdered
• q. s., quantum satis or quantum sufficit = a sufficient quantity
• s. a., secundem artem = according to art/practice, in the usual way
• s. or ss., semis = one half (see note below)
• saepe, sepe = often; saepius (comparative) = rather often
• semicoch., semicochleare = half a spoonful
• sero = late; e.g., mane et sero, in the morning and late
• setaceum -i = sieve; per setaceum, through a sieve
• siccus -a -um = dry
• spong., spongiā = with a sponge
• stillitat., stillatim = drop by drop
• substituo -ere = substitute; X substituatur, X should/ ought to be substituted, e.g. for a missing ingredient: in defectu vini graeci aliud vinum
•. potens album substituatur, in the absence of Greek wine another strong white wine should be substituted
• sumend., sumendus -a -um = to be or should be taken; e.g., mane et sero sumendum = to be taken early and late
• summo mane = very early in the morning
• ust., ustus -a -um = adj., burnt
• vesperi = in the evening
℥ = ounce; f℥ = fluid ounce
ʒ = dram, drachm
℈ = scruple
M = handful
p = pugil, the amount that can be picked up with the thumb and two fingers
Numerical mounts are most often given in minuscule Roman numerals; e.g., iiii. The last "i" is often written as a "j" or long "i," e.g., iiij, but should be transcribed as a minuscule.
When "s" is used for one half, it follows the last character, e.g., ℈s, 1/2 scruple, or ℥iiis = 3 1/2 ounces.
- The abbreviations for grain, "gr," and guttae, "gt," can look identical; if the ingredient is a liquid, e.g., a syrup, use "gt;" if a dry substance, use "gr."
EMMO