Posy

Posy
Posy Po"sy, n.; pl. {Posies}. [Contr. fr. poesy.] 1. A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment, motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring. ``The posy of a ring.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. [Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.] A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay. ``Bridegroom's posies.'' --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

We make a difference between suffering thistles to grow among us, and wearing them for posies. --Swift. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Posy — f English: pet form (originally a nursery version) of JOSEPHINE (SEE Josephine). It has also been associated with the vocabulary word posy bunch of flowers (originally a collection of verses, from poesy poetry), and is occasionally used as an… …   First names dictionary

  • posy — also posey, 1530s, line of verse engraved on the inner surface of a ring, from POESY (Cf. poesy), recorded in this sense from early 15c. Meaning flower, bouquet first recorded 1570s, from notion of the language of flowers …   Etymology dictionary

  • posy — ► NOUN (pl. posies) ▪ a small bunch of flowers. ORIGIN originally in the sense «motto or line of verse inscribed inside a ring»: contraction of POESY(Cf. ↑poesy) …   English terms dictionary

  • posy — [pō′zē] n. pl. posies [contr. < POESY] 1. Archaic a line of poetry or motto inscribed inside a ring, etc. 2. Old fashioned a flower, bouquet, or nosegay …   English World dictionary

  • posy — UK [ˈpəʊzɪ] / US [ˈpoʊzɪ] noun [countable] Word forms posy : singular posy plural posies mainly literary a number of small flowers that you hold together …   English dictionary

  • posy — noun a) A flower; a bouquet; a nosegay. Is this a prologue or the posy of a ring? b) a motto inscribed inside a ring …   Wiktionary

  • posy — [[t]po͟ʊzi[/t]] posies N COUNT: oft N of n A posy is a small bunch of flowers. In American English, it can also consist of a single flower …   English dictionary

  • posy — noun (C) especially literary a small bunch of flowers: a posy of African violets …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • posy — n. (pl. ies) 1 a small bunch of flowers. 2 archaic a short motto, line of verse, etc., inscribed within a ring. Phrases and idioms: posy ring a ring with this inscription. Etymology: alt. f. POESY …   Useful english dictionary

  • Posy Simmonds — Nom de naissance Rosemary Elizabeth Simmonds Naissance 9 août 1945 Berkshire, Angleterre …   Wikipédia en Français

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