John Ward's Latin

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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)

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."

Types of recipes
• apozema -atis = infusion, decoction, concentration by boiling
• aq. X = water of X; common ingredient meaning water infused or distilled with X (e.g., rosewater)
• arillus -i = seed/stone; uva passa detractis arillis, dried grapes with the seeds removed
• balneum -i = bath
• carminativus -a -um = serving to expel flatulence, as in "emplastrum carminativum"
• cataplasm., cataplasma -is = poultice
• clyster -eris = enema decoct., decoctio -onis = decoction
• embroc., embrocatio -onis = an embrocation; like a liniment but of a thinner consistency, many types
• eclegma, ecligma -atis = medicine to be taken by letting it melt in the mouth
• elect., electuarium -i = electuary
• empl., emplastrum -i = plaster; emplastrum Paracelsi is one of many
• emuls., emulsio -onis = emulsion
• fomentum -i, fomentatio -onis = poultice, dressing, compress; may be with warm liquids (fomentation)
• gargarisma -ae = a gargle, throat-wash haust., haustus -us = draught
• liniment., linamentum -i = liniment; l. arcei = liniment of Arceus, linimentum elemi (see below under gummi)
• lohoch, linctus = medicine that is to be taken by licking
• pill., pillulae = pill(s)
• possetum -i, liquor posseticus = posset; milk curdled with treacle, wine, or any acid substance
• potus -us = drink
• ptisan., ptisana -ae = decoction of vegetable matters, e.g., barley, licorice, or raisins; a tisane
• 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

Ingredients and Descriptions• abrotan., abrotanum -i = artemisia
absynth., absynthium -i = wormwood
acetos., acetosa -ae = sorrel
acet., acetum -i = vinegar agaric., agaricum -i = bracket fungus
alchermes, alkermes(confectio -onis) = confection of Kermes (crimson insect, cf. cochineal)
alkakengi, alkekengi = winter cherry
Physalis alkekengi, a diuretic aloe -es = aloe
Aloe hepatica, common aloe alb.,
albus -a -um = white
alhandal = Arabic name for colocynth; troches of alhandal also contained bdellium & gum tragacanth
alth., althea -ae = mallow or marshmallow; also malvaviscus, q.v. ammoniac., ammoniacum -i = gum ammoniac
aneth., anethum -i = dill
anis., anisum -i = anise; semina anisi, aniseed
aq., aqua -ae = water; aqua fontis, spring or well water
aqua vitae = distilled spirit argill., argilla -ae = argil, argillaceous earth, alumina aristoloch., aristolochia -ae = birthwort
aromat. rosat., aromaticum rosatum = aromatic medicine containing roses
artemis., artemisia -ae = various species including southernwood, wormwood, mugwort, etc.
asar., asarum -i = asarabacca or hazelwort aven., avena -ae = oats bacc., bacca -ae = berry
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
basilic. = see ung., vng. basilic below
bechicus -a -um = for a cough
bechion bechii = coltsfoot, Tussiago farfara
bdell., bdellium -i = gum resin from shrubs of Balsamodendron spp., used as pectoral (for diseases of the chest) and emmenagogue (to promote menstrual flow)
becabung., Veronica beccabunga = water pimpernel, brooklime
bened. laxat., benedicta laxativa or benedictum laxativum = another name for rhubarb, or the laxative electuary made from it
benzoin. = gum obtained from Styrax benzoin
berber., berberis = barberry
beton., betonica -ae = betony bezoard., bezoardic., bezoardicus -i = bezoar (several types, e.g., mineral, resinous, fibrous)
bol. armen., bolus -i Armeniae = Armenian bole, bole armoniac; an argillaceous earth borac., borax (-acis?) = borax (sodium borate)
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
sacchar., saccharum -i = (cane) sugar; also saccharum candidum, sugar candy
sambuc., sambucus -i = elder tree
sangu. dracon., sanguis -is draconis = dragon's blood, a red resin made from various trees
santal., santalum -i = sandalwood, saunders; red, white, and yellow varieties
santonic., sem. santonic., semina santonica = southernwood seeds (Artemisia santonica) or wormseeds (Absinthium santonicum)
saxifrag., saxifraga -ae = saxifrage, breakstone; for treatment of urinary stones, also an antiseptic scill., scilla -ae = see squill below
scord., scordium -i = Teucrium scordium, water germander
scorzon., scorzonera = Scorzonera humilis, viper's grass, for treatment of any venomous bit
seb., sebum -i = tallow, suet, grease
secalini., secale -is = a kind of grain; likely rye or black spelt sed., sedum -i = wall-pepper, stone-crop
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.,
serum -i = milk whey; also "serum lacti," "whey of milk"
simpl., simplex simplicis = single ingredient, unblended; same as species spec., species = a simple, or single ingredient or element; i.e., uncompounded or unmixed
spic., spica -ae = a spike or common stalk bearing numerous flowers; Spica foemina = lavender
squill., squilla -ae = squill; Scilla maritima, used as diuretic and expectorant
stercus -oris = dung, excrement suc[c]in., suc[c]inum -i = amber
succ., succus -i = juice symphit., symphitum -i = comfrey; symphytum maius = greater comfrey
tapsus -i barbatus = Verbascum nigrum, black mullein tax., taxus -i = yew tree (Taxus baccata); or badger, Taxidea taxus; pinguedo Taxi = badger fat
terebinth., terebinthina -ae = turpentine; terebinth. uenet. (Veneta), Venice turpentine; many others including terebinthina communis, Chia, Cypria,
vulgaris test., testa -ae = shell of a molllusc, or the skin or coating of a seed
thebaic., thebaica -ae = opium; thebaic tincture or extract = laudanum
theriac., theriaca -ae = antidote; treacle; Theriaca andromachi = mithridatium (q.v.) thur., thus thuris = frankincense
tutia -ae = tutty; zinc oxide
ung., vng. apostol., unguentum apostolorum = containing 12 ingredients incl. turpentine, resin, yellow wax, aristolochia, frankincense, etc.
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
ung., vng. alb., unguentum album = ointment containing olive oil, white wax, and white lead
unguentum Egyptiac., Egyptiacum = ointment containing verdigris (copper acetate or green rust from copper or brass), honey, and vinegar
unguentum populeon = ointment containing poplar buds, animal fat, and various leaves
urtic., vrtic., urtica -ae = nettle
uva -ae = grape
vin., vinum -i = wine; vinum album, white wine; vinum rubrum/ rubellum/ roseum, red wine
viola -ae = violet vitell., vitellus -i = egg yolk; vitelli ovorum, yolks of eggs
vitis -is = vine; folia vitis, grape leaves
vitriol., vitriolum -i = vitriol; various metallic sulfates, esp. iron sulfate; v. album, zinc sulfate
vulgar., vulgaris -e = common, usual
vulp., vulpes -is = wolf
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
zyth., zythum -i = zythos (unfermented Egyptian beer)
zz or ZZ = zinziber = ginger (sometimes myrrh)

  • 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.
EMMO