emblemish

English

Etymology

From Middle English emblemyshen; compare blemish.

Verb

emblemish (third-person singular simple present emblemishes, present participle emblemishing, simple past and past participle emblemished)

1. (obsolete) Synonym of blemish.
   • 1576, Franciscus Patricius, translated by Rycharde Robinson, A Moral Methode of Ciuile Policie Contayninge a Learned and Fruictful Discourse of the Institution, State and Gouernment of a Common Weale, London: […] Thomas Marsh, page 9:

     The fyrste respecte or regarde of geuinge our voyces is to be had of honesty, and vertue. And the seconde of lyberall sciences which in a Citty bringe with them moste plentifull profit. The thirde consideration is to bee had of Nobilitye, for they whose auncestours haue florished famous with some kinde of prayse, their children and posterity are not to be neglected, except by their reproch or ignominye, they do darken & emblemish the prayse and cōmendation of their auncestours.

   • c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The Second Booke] The Second Eclogues”, in Fulke Greville, Matthew Gwinne, and John Florio, editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC; republished in Albert Feuillerat, editor, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (Cambridge English Classics: The Complete Works of Sir Philip Sidney; I), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1912, →OCLC, page 347:

     When Cosma doth come forth, the Sun displaies / His utmost light: for well his witte doth know, / Cosmas faire beames emblemish much his raies.

   • 1586, Thomas Newton, transl., The Olde mans Dietarie A Worke No Lesse Learned Then Necessary for the Preseruation of Olde Persons in Perfect Health and Soundnesse, London: […] [G. Robinson] for Edward White:

     That I shall preserue and keepe both my life and myne Arte, free and cleare from iust obloquie and slaunder, and from all such occasions as may iustly disparage and emblemish the same.

   • 1656, Robert Sanderson, Twenty Sermons Formerly Preached XVI ad Aulam, III ad Magistratum, I ad Populum, London: […] R. Norton, for Henry Seile, pages 154–155:

     A course not unusuall with him (velut emblemate vermicula[]o) to emblemish his Epistles upon fit occasions with supplications, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks: breaking off the course of his speech, and that now and then somewhat abruptly (witness 2 Cor 9.10. and some other places,) to lace in a Prayer, a Blessing, a Thanksgiving.

   • 1680, Samuel Wales, Totum Hominis: or The Whole Duty of a Christian, Consisting in Faith and Good Life. Abridged in Certain Sermons Expounding Paul’s Prayer for the Thessalonians, Epist. 2. Chap. 1. Vers. 11, 12., London: […] T.B. for Benjamin Alsop, page 186:

     Do not think that pomp and Bravery, Wit and Policy, Worldly wealth, preferment, and power of commanding many, sumptuous buildings, stately tombes and monuments, much less cruelty and tyranny, shall immortalize your names: no, no, its blessed consormity to Christ in true spiritual purity, hearty subjection to his government, and down right resolution for his cause, which shall embalm and emblemish your memorials, that children unborn may admire the fragrancy and splendor of them, and at last set upon your head an immarescible crown of glory.

   • 1685, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, London: […] Thomas Parkhurst:

     The Synagogues, the whole body of the people Israel, which were Emblemish’d in Gomer, the Wife of Whoredoms.

Derived terms

• emblemishment