A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sardonice, Sardonis, Sardanis, -us, n. [ME and e.m.E. sardonyse (14th c.), sardonix (Wyclif), etc., L. sardonyx.] Sardonyx, the variety of precious stone consisting of onyx alternating with strata of sard or cornelian. —?1438 Alex. ii 7638.
Into the palyce … adorned with riche stones, Jasp, beriall and sardonis 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1916 (E).
War all the buirdis maid of maist riches, Of sardanis [L. sardanus], of jasp [etc.] c1520-c1535 Nisbet Apoc. xxi 20.
The fonndementis of the wall … war ournit with al precious staan. The first … iaspis … ; the fijft sardonice [P. sardony, Wy. sardonix], the sext sardius [P., Wy. sardius] [etc.]
