persely

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old French peresil, from Latin petroselīnum, from Ancient Greek πετροσέλῑνον (petrosélīnon).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɛrsiliː/, /ˈpɛrs(ə)liː/, /ˈpɛrsɛl/

Noun

persely (uncountable)

  1. parsley (Petroselinum crispum) or a similar plant.
    • late 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Cook's Prologue, The Canterbury Tales, line 4349-4352:
      Of many a pilgrim hastow Cristes curs,
      For of thy persly yet they fare the wors,
      That they han eten with thy stubbel-goos;
      For in thy shoppe is many a flye loos.
      Of many a pilgrim hast thou Christ's curse,
      For of thy parsley yet they fare the worse,
      Which they have eaten with thy stubble-fed goose;
      For in thy shop is many a fly loose.

Descendants

  • English: parsley
  • Scots: persel
  • Welsh: persli

References

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