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.


• 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)

This second list 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., decoquo -ere = 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 bite

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