The Devil is an Ass

by Ben Jonson

5. 8. 142, 3 I will tell truth, etc. Jonson uses this proverb again in Tale Tub, Wks. 6. 150: ‘tell troth and shame the devil.’

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GLOSSARY

This glossary is designed to include obsolete, archaic, dialectal, and rare words; current words used in obsolete, archaic, or exceptional senses; and, so far as practicable, obsolete and archaic phrases. Current words in current uses have occasionally been included to avoid confusion, as well as technical words unfamiliar to the ordinary reader. Favorite words have been treated, for the sake of illustration, with especial fullness.

For most words treated in its volumes published up to March, 1905, Murray’s New English Dictionary is the chief authority. For words not reached by that work the Century Dictionary has been preferred. The Stanford Dictionary has been found especially useful for anglicized words. It has often been necessary to resort to contemporary foreign dictionaries in the case of words of Romance origin.

It has been thought best to refer to all or nearly all important passages. Etymologies are given only in cases of especial interest.

A dagger [†] before a word or definition indicates that the word or the particular meaning is obsolete; parallel lines [||] before a word, that it has never become naturalized in English; an interrogation point [?], that the case is doubtful.

A, prep. [Worn down from OE. preposition an, on.] With be: engaged in. Arch. or dial. 5. 1. 4.
†A’, prep. Worn down from of. 5. 2. 38.
Aboue, adv. Surpassing in degree; exceedingly. 3. 6. 33.
Abuse, v. †To impose upon, deceive. 5. 8. 140; 4. 2. 41; 4. 7. 80.
Academy, n.? A school of deportment. 2. 8. 20; 3. 5. 33.
Access, n. †Approach; advance. 2. 6. 68.
Accompt, n. [Form of account.] A report. 2. 7. 28.
Accomptant, †a. [Form of accountant.] Liable to give an account; accountable. 5. 2. 11.
Account, n. †Reckoning, consideration. Phr. make account: To reckon, consider. 4. 1. 10.
Acknowledge, v. To recognize a service as (from a person). 4. 3. 19.
Admire, v. †intr. To feel or express surprise; to wonder. 1. 1. 77.
Aduise, v. To warn, dissuade †(from a course). 5. 4. 43.
Aërie, a. [Form of airy.] Lively, vivacious. 4. 4. 157. aëry. 3. 5. 13.
Affection, n. †Mental tendency; disposition. 4. 4. 126.
Afore, prep. In the presence of. Arch. or dial. 4. 4. 167; 5. 5. 7.
Aforehand, adv. Arch. In advance. 1. 3. 41.
After-game, n. ‘Prop., a second game played in order to reverse or improve the issues of the first; hence, “The scheme which may be laid or the expedients which are practised after the original game has miscarried; methods taken after the first turn of affairs” (Johnson).’ NED. 4. 7. 84.
||Alcorça, n. Sp. ‘A conserue.’ Minsheu.
Alcorea, n. pr. for Alcorça, q. v. 4. 4. 144.
||Allum Scagliola, n. It.? Rock alum. 4. 4. 30.
†Almaine-leape, n. A dancing-leap. 1. 1. 97.
Almanack-Man, n. †A fortune-teller, foreteller. 1. 7. 25.
||Almoiauana, n. Sp. ‘A kinde of cheese-cake.’ Minsheu. 4. 4. 143.
Almond milke, n. ‘Chambers Cycl. Supp., Almond-milk is a preparation made of sweet blanched almonds and water, of some use in medicine, as an emollient.’ NED. 1. 6. 222.
||Aluagada, n. pr. same as Alvayálde, q. v. 4. 4. 27.
||Aluayalde or Albayalde, n. Sp. ‘A white colour to paint womens faces called ceruse.’ Minsheu.
Ancient, a.? Belonging to an old family. 1. 2. 17.
And, conj. †If. 3. 5. 39. and’. 1. 3. 23. an’. 1. 2. 31.
Angel, n. ‘An old English gold coin, called more fully at first the Angel-noble, being originally a new issue of the Noble, having as its device the archangel Michael standing upon, and piercing the dragon.’ NED. Pr. about 10 s. 2. 1. 138.
Anone, adv. Now again. P. 10.
†Ap-perill, n. Risk. 5. 4. 34.
||Aqua nanfa, n. Sp. [Corruption of acqua nanfa.] ‘Sweet water smelling of muske and Orenge-leaves.’ Florio. 4. 4. 146.
||Aqua-vitæ, n. Any form of ardent spirits. 2. 1. 5.
Arbitrary, a. Law. Discretionary; not fixed. 3. 3. 75.
||Arcana, n. [Pl. of L. a. arcanum, used subst.] Secrets, mysteries. 4. 4. 151.
||Argentata, n. It. ‘A painting for women’s faces.’ Florio. 4. 4. 28.
Argument, n. Subject-matter of discussion or discourse; theme, subject. Obs. or arch. 1. 6. 10.
Arras, n. [Arras, name of a town in Artois, famed for its manufacture of the fabric.] A hanging screen of a rich tapestry fabric formerly placed around the walls of household apartments. 1. 2. 46.
Art, n. 1. A contrivance. 1. 7. 24. †2. Magic art. 1. 5. 21.
Artist, n. †A professor of magic arts; an astrologer. 1. 2. 22.
As, conj. †With finite verb: That. 1. 4. 30; 1. 6. 61; 3. 2. 23.
As, adv. Phr. as that: Even as (in parallel clause, introducing a known circumstance with which a hypothesis is contrasted). 5. 1. 20.
Assure, v. †To secure. 3. 5. 68.
At, prep. Upon. 1. 6. 114.
Atchieue, v. [Form of achieve.] †To gain, win (a material acquisition). 3. 5. 67.
Attemp, n. [Form of attempt.] Endeavor to win over. 2. 2. 30.
Attempt, v. To try to win over, or seduce. Arch. 4. 5. 7.
Audit, n. A statement of account. Fig., arch. 3. 3. 229.
Aye, adv. At all times, on all occasions. (Now only Sc. and north dial.) 1. 6. 220.
Ayre, n. [Form of air.] Manner; sort. 2. 7. 21.

Baffle, v. †To treat with contempt. 4. 7. 73 SN.
Bag, n. The sac (of the bee) containing honey. 2. 6. 112.
Bailie, n. [Form of bailiff.] An officer of justice under a sheriff; a warrant officer. 3. 3. 38.
Bane, n. 1. Poison. 2. 7. 18.
†2. As exclam. ‘Plague.’ 5. 6. 66.
Banke, n. †An artificial earthwork, an embankment. 2. 1. 56.
Bare, a. Bare-headed. Arch. 2. 3. 37.
Bate, v. †1. To deprive (of). 4. 1. 56.
†2. To make a reduction (of); to deduct. 2. 1. 83; 2. 1. 104.
Baudy, 2. 8. 73. See Bawdy.
Bawd-ledger, n. Resident minister to the bawds (a mock title coined by Jonson). 5. 6. 64.
Bawdry, n. Arch. Lewd talk; obscenity. 4. 1. 176.
Bawdy, a. 1. Lewd. 2. 1. 167. 2. absol. quasi-sb. Lewd language, obscenity. 4. 4. 165. baudy. 2. 8. 73.
Be, v. pl. Are. Obs. or dial. 2. 8. 63.
Bed-fellow, n. †Intimate companion. 2. 8. 9.
Behaue, v. †trans. To manage. 2. 8. 71.
Benefit, n. Advantage. †Phr. make benefit of: To take advantage of. ?Obs. 2. 2. 98.
Beniamin, n. Gum benzoin, an aromatic resin obtained from the Styrax benzoin, a tree of Sumatra, Java, and the neighboring islands, used in medicine, perfumery, and chemistry.
||Beniamin di gotta, n. ?Gum benzoin in drops. See Beniamin. 4. 4. 33.
Bespeake, v. trans. w. refl. To engage. 1. 6. 214.
Bestow, v. To deposit. Arch. 3. 2. 9.
Black-water, n. 3. 3. 179. See-water.
Blanck manger, n. [Form of blancmange.] †‘A dish composed usually of fowl, but also of other meat, minced with cream, rice, almonds, sugar, eggs, etc.’ NED. 1. 6. 240.
Blank, n. ‘A small French coin, originally of silver, but afterwards of copper; also a silver coin of Henry V. current in the parts of France then held by the English. According to Littré, the French blanc was worth 5 deniers. The application of the name in the 17th Cen. is uncertain.’ NED. 3. 3. 33.
Blesse, v. †To protect, save (from). 4. 4. 187.
Blocke, n. A mould. Spec. Brokers blocke: A mould for clothes in a pawnbroker’s shop. 2. 7. 15.
Blocke-head, n. †A wooden block for hats or wigs; hence, a blockish or stupid head. 3. 5. 65.
Board, n. Phr. tall board: ?A gaming table. [4. 5. 32]. See note.
Booke, n. †A charter or deed; a written grant of privileges. 3. 3. 67; 3. 3. 79.
||Borachio, n. Obs. ‘A large leather bottle or bag used in Spain for wine or other liquors.’ NED. 2. 1. 71.
Bound, ppl. a. Under obligations of gratitude. 4. 1. 11.
Bouzy, a. [Form of bousy.] Sotted. 5. 6. 25.
Brach, n. Arch. A bitch-hound. 4. 4. 229.
Braue, a. 1. Finely-dressed. Arch. 1. 4. 16; 2. 5. 11.
2. A general epithet of admiration or praise. Arch. 1. 2. 52; 2. 6. 75; 3. 4. 12; 4. 6. 29.
†interj. 3. Capital! 1. 1. 67.
Brauery, n. †A fine thing; a matter to boast or be proud of. 3. 6. 47.
Breake, v. †To speak confidentially (with a person of a thing). 3. 4. 62.
Bring, v. Phr. bring up: ?Augment, increase. 1. 4. 96.
Bristo-stone, n. ‘A kind of transparent rock-crystal found in the Clifton limestone near Bristol, resembling the diamond in brilliancy.’ NED. 3. 3. 173.
Broker, n. 1. A pawnbroker. 1. 1. 143; 1. 4. 19.
2. With added function of agent or intermediary. 1. 4. 4.
Brooke, v. †To endure; not to discredit; to be sufficiently appropriate for. 2. 8. 63.
Buckram, a. A kind of coarse linen or cloth stiffened with gum or paste. 2. 1. 63.
Bullion, n. †More fully, bullion-hose: Trunk-hose, puffed out at the upper part, in several folds. 3. 3. 217.
Bush, n. A branch of ivy used as vintner’s sign; hence, the sign-board of a tavern. 3. 3. 170.
Businesse, n. †1. Affectedly used for an ‘affair of honor,’ a duel. 3. 3. 106.
†2. A misunderstanding, quarrel. 4. 1. 18.
Busse, v. Arch. and dial. To kiss. 3. 6. 1.
Buzz, v. Phr. buzz at: 1. To hum about, as an insect.
†2. To whisper to; incite by suggestions. Used quibblingly in both senses. 2. 7. 4.
†By cause, phr. used as conj. Because. 5. 4. 24.

Cabbin, n. †A small room, a boudoir. 1. 6. 238.
Cabinet, n. A small chamber or room; a boudoir. Arch. or obs. 4. 4. 152.
Campheere, n. [Form of camphor.] 4. 4. 22.
Can, v. †tr. To have at one’s command; to be able to supply, devise or suggest (a pregnant use). 3. 6. 39.
Caract, n. [Form of carat. Confused with caract=Character.] †Value, estimate. Phr. at all caracts: ‘To the minutest circumstance.’ Gifford. 1. 6. 88.
†Caravance, n. ‘Name of sundry kinds of peas and small beans.’ Stanford.
†Carrauicins, n. perh.=caravance, q. v. 4. 4. 45.
Care, v. To take care. Now only dial. 1. 1. 29.
Carefull, a. Anxious, solicitous. Arch. 1. 6. 10.
†Caroch, n. A coach or chariot of a stately or luxurious kind. 1. 6. 214. Carroch. 4. 2. 11.
Carry, v. 1. tr. To conduct, manage. Arch. 3. 5. 53.
?†2. intr. To be arranged. 3. 3. 126.
Case, n. 1. The body (as enclosing the soul, etc.). 5. 6. 39.
2. Condition, supposition. Phr. in case to: In a condition or position to; prepared, ready. Arch. 4. 7. 85. Put case: Suppose. ?Arch. 4. 4. 228.
Cast, v. †1. To estimate. 2. 1. 81.
†2. To devise. 2. 8. 42.
Castle-soape, n. Obs. form of Castile soap. 5. 3. 3.
||Cataputia, n. [In Med. L. and It.] ‘The hearbe spurge.’ Florio. 4. 4. 55.
†Cater, n. ‘A buyer of provisions or “cates”; in large households the officer who made the necessary purchases of provisions.’ NED. 1. 3. 13.
Catholike, a. †Universally efficient. 1. 4. 35.
†Cause, conj. Obs. exc. dial. [An elliptic use of the noun for because.] Because. 2. 8. 28; 4. 6. 34. Phr. by cause. See By cause.
†Cautelous, a. Crafty. 1. 6. 142.
Caution, n. 1. Security; guarantee. 3. 4. 30; 58.
2. A word of warning. 4. 5. 28.
Ceruse, n. [White lead.] A paint or cosmetic for the skin; used vaguely. 4. 4. 53.
Challengee, n. Rare (perh. coined by Jonson). One who is challenged. 3. 3. 141.
Character, n. A cabalistic or magical sign. 1. 2. 9.
Charge, n. Expenses; outlay. Arch. 2. 1. 49; 1. 6. 172.
Chartell, n. [Form of cartel.] A written challenge. 3. 3. 140.
Chaw, v. A common by-form of chew in the 16-17th c. 4. 2. 53.
Cheat, n. †Any product of conquest or robbery; booty, spoil. 1. 7. 4.
Cheat, v. Phr. cheat on: To cheat. 5. 6. 54.
Cheater, n. †A dishonest gamester; a sharper. 5. 6. 64.
Check, n. †Reproof, censure. 3. 6. 44.
Cheese-trencher, n. A wooden plate for holding or cutting cheese. P. 8.
Christall, n. [Form of crystal.] A piece of rock-crystal or similar mineral used in magic art. 1. 2. 6.
†Cioppino, n. [Italianated form of chopine.] A kind of shoe raised above the ground by means of a cork sole or the like; worn about 1600 in Spain and Italy, esp. at Venice, where they were monstrously exaggerated. [3. 4. 13] (see note); 4. 4. 69.
Cipher, n. A means of conveying secret intelligence: used vaguely. 2. 1. 167·
Circle, n. 1. An embrace. 1. 4. 94.
2. Sphere (of influence, etc.). 1. 6. 96.
3. A circular figure (of magic). 1. 2. 26.
Cloake-charge, n. The expense of a cloak (coined by Jonson). 2. 2. 42.
Cockscomb, n. †A simpleton. 5. 8. 40.
Cock-stone, n. †A name of the kidney-bean. 1. 1. 53.
Cog, v. To cheat, esp. at dice or cards. 1. 1. 48.
†Cokes, n. A simpleton, one easily ‘taken in.’ 2. 2. 104.
Collect, v. To infer, deduce. Rare. 1. 6. 234.
Come, v. Phr. come off: (in imperative as a call of encouragement to action) Come! come along! 3. 5. 27.
Comming, ppl. a. Inclined to make or meet advances. 4. 4. 180.
Commoner, n. †A member of the general body of a town-council. 2. 1. 42.
Complement, n. †1. Anything which goes to make up or fully equip. 3. 4. 33.
†2. Polite or ceremonious greetings. 3. 5. 15.
Complexion, n. †1. The combination of the four ‘humors’ of the body in a certain proportion; ‘temperament.’ 2. 2. 122.
†2. Bodily habit or constitution. 5. 1. 18.
?3. Appearance of the skin. 1. 4. 63 (or perh. as 2).
†4. A coloring preparation, cosmetic. 4. 4. 12.
5. Appearance, aspect (fig.). 2. 6. 50.
Comport, v. Phr. comport with: †To act in accordance with. 2. 8. 17.
||Compos mentis, a. phr. [L. f. com-potis.] Of sound mind. 5. 3. 12.
Compter, n. Old spelling of Counter. The name of certain city prisons for debtors; esp. the two London Compters. [3. 1. 20] (see note).
Conceit, n. †1. Idea, device. 2. 8. 23. conceipt.
†2. Personal opinion. 4. 4. 200.
3. Phr. Out of conceipt: Out of patience, dissatisfied. 2. 8. 18.
Concerne, v. †intr. To be of importance. 3. 3. 113.
Concurrence, n. A juncture: a condition: used vaguely. 2. 6. 54.
Conduit-head, n. †A structure from which water is distributed or made to issue: a reservoir. 5. 1. 27.
Confine, v. Imprison. Const. †to. 5. 6. 34.
Confute, v. To put to silence (by physical means). 5. 6. 18.
Content, a. †Willing. 1. 1. 133.
Conuenient, a. †1. Due, proper. 1. 4. 79.   †2. Suitable. 4. 4. 230.
Conuey, v. To carry from one place to another (†used of small objects and with connotation of secrecy). 2. 1. 164.
Coozen, v. [Form of cozen.] To cheat. 3. 1. 22. cossen. 5. 2. 29.
Coozener, n. [Form of cozener.] Impostor. 5. 8. 148.
||Coquetta, n. Sp. A small loaf. 4. 4. 143.
Corn-ground, n. Arch. A piece of land used for growing corn; corn-land. 3. 1. 17.
Cornish, a. Phr. C. counterfeit: referring to the ‘Cornish stone’ or ‘diamond.’ a variety of quartz found in Cornwall. 3. 3. 173.
Cossen, v. 5. 2. 29. See Coozen.
Councell, n. Obs. form of council. 3. 1. 34; 5. 2. 20.
Court, v. Phr. court it: To play or act the courtier. 3. 4. 56.
Court-ship, n. †An act of courtesy (used in pl.) 1. 6. 201.
Coyle, n. [Form of coil.] ?An embarrassing situation; a ‘mess.’ 5. 5. 54.
Crack, v. intr. To break the musical quality of the voice (used fig.) 5. 5. 59.
Cracke, n. †A lively lad; a ‘rogue’ (playfully), a wag. 2. 8. 58.
†Crambe, n. [Form of crambo.] ‘A game in which one player gives a word or line of verse to which each of the others has to find a rime.’ NED. 5. 8. 110.
Creak, v. To exhibit the characteristics of; to betray (a fig. use of the lit. meaning). 2. 2. 87.
Credit, n. †1. Authority. 1. 4. 29.
†2. Repute. 5. 6. 49.
Crisped, ppl. a. Closely curled; as applied to trees of uncertain significance. [2. 6. 78] (see note).
Cunning, a. †Learned; versed in. 2. 4. 12.
Custard, n. †‘Formerly, a kind of open pie containing pieces of meat or fruit covered with a preparation of broth or milk, thickened with eggs, sweetened, and seasoned with spices, etc.’ NED. 1. 1. 97.
Cutpurse, n. One who steals by cutting purses; hence, a thief. 1. 1. 140.
Cut-work, n. †1. ‘A kind of openwork embroidery or lace worn in the latter part of the 16th and in the 17th c.’ NED. 2. 1. 163; 3. 3. 23.
†2. attrib. 1. 1. 128. cut-worke.