An Attempt To Date
Moscow
July 29, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
Courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary: What did the English know about Moscow and when did they know it?
Forms:
15–16 Moscouian, 15–16 Muscouian, 15– Muscovian, 16– Moscovian.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Moscovia, Muscovia Muscovy n. + -an suffix. Compare earlier Muscovite n.1 and adj. Compare Moscovian adj. and n.
A. n.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 31v,
The Russians and Moscouians [L. Sarmatae].
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 306
Men of weir..to help the King of Swaden aganes the Muscovianis.
1617 T. Middleton Tryumphs of Honor & Industry sig. B3,
A Ruscian or Moscouian.
1655 J. Owen Vindiciæ Evangelicæ Pref. 17
The Assembly of States, was called against the Muscovians.
B. adj.
1579 T. Lodge Protogenes 20
Your Muscouian straungers, your Scithian monsters.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 106
Casements of broad cleere Muscouian glasse.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 180
Finding the Muscovian Pilot..absolutely ignorant in the business of Navigation.
1664 E. Browne in Sir T. Browne Wks. (1836) I. 47
Mr. Gibbs gave mee a Moscovian rat's skin.
1674 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. Northern Countries 52
The pleasant Funeral formalities among the Muscovian Laplanders.
a1691 R. Boyle Gen. Hist. Air (1692) 187
Whether Muscovian ice be..harder than English ice.
1738 W. Meston On Death of Charles XII King of Sweden in Decadem Alteram 11
Lament his Fall, thou great Muscovian Czar, 'Twas he who taught thee first the Art of War.
1796 J. Cottle War in Poems 84
What the fierce Rival's of Moscovian Czar?
Forms: 15 Moschouite, 15 Muskouit, 15 Musscavitte, 15–16 Moscouite, 15–16 Muscouite, 15–16 Muscovit, 16 Moscovit, 16 Muscouit, 16– Moscovite, 16– Muscovite.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Moscovita, Muscovita, Moschovita, etc., Russian, inhabitant of Moscow or the principality of Muscovy (1528; also Moscoviticus , adjective (1549))
< Moscovia ,Muscovia Muscovy n. + -ita -ite suffix1. Compare Middle French, French Moscovite Russian (1542 in Rabelais; earlier printed as Mosconite, 1534), inhabitant of Moscow (1808), also as adjective (1584), German †Moscoviten (plural, 1513; German Moskoviter (now arch.)).
The use of the suffix -ita -ite suffix1 in the formation of the noun may perhaps have been influenced by Old Russian muskovitin (late 16th cent. as Muscouytyn in a Russian–German phrasebook, glossed ‘ein Muscauer’). Compare also Old Russian, Russian moskvič (1660 or earlier), Russian moskvitin (1704 or earlier), moskvitjanin (1801 or earlier). Russian moskovit (20th cent.) is after post-classical Latin Moscovita. Compare Muscovian n. and adj., Moscovianadj. and n.
A native or inhabitant of Moscow or of the former principality of Muscovy. More generally: a Russian (now arch.).
1535 J. Wallop Let. 6 Sept. in MS. Cotton Calig. EII. f. 217,
Th[e] musscavittes hath geven battaile to the King of pow[lles].
1537 tr. Original & Sprynge all Sectes f. 47,
The Moscouites and whyte Russes fayth. Moscouites is a nacion in Asia whose lande is called Moscouia.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 256v,
They were cauled Moscouites of the chiefe citie of al the prouince named Moscouia or Mosca.
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. aiiij,
The wide Empire of the Moschouite.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 122
Appariled thus, like Muscouites, of Russians.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 303
Disguysd like Muscouites in shapeless geare.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianogr. (1639) 47
Of the Greeke Communion are the Muscovites, the Russes in Poland [etc.].
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 87
The spawn of Fish, especially that of Sturgeon, they order thus... The Muscovites call it Ikary, and the Italians Cavaiar.
1700 M. Prior Carmen Sæculare 11
The young Moscovite, the mighty Head Whose Sovereign Terror Forty Nations dread.
1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. v. lxv. 523
The Moscovites..were as jealous as any people in the south.
B. adj.
Of or relating to Moscow or Muscovy, or their inhabitants; (gen.) Russian.
1577 J. Dee Gen. Mem. Arte Nauig. 62
As, in the Sclauonian, or Moschouite, the Arabik,..the Chiny Language.
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 105
Certaine Englishmen sayling by the Moscouite sea,..haue pierced euen to Cathaia.
1676 tr. A. Thevet Prosopographia (new ed.) 80 in T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (new ed.)
The Moscovite Language.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 364
A faithful Muscovite Servant, or rather a Siberian Servant.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 574/1
The Muscovite priests use exorcisms at the administration of baptism.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Muscovita Muscovite n.1 or Italian Muscovita (1648 or earlier;
< Latin; see quot. 1650) + -er suffix1. Compare earlier Muscovite n.1, Muscovian n.
Now hist.
An inhabitant of Muscovy; a Muscovite. Also as adj.
1650 R. Gentilis tr. V. Malvezzi Considerations Lives Alcibiades & Corialanus 225
If Gustavus..had not bin intangled in the Muscoviters and Polish wars [It. dalle guerre de' Moscouiti, e Polacchi].
1668 T. St. Serfe Tarugo's Wiles ii. ii. 11,
I was thither carri'd Captive, being taking by a Muscoviter Man of War, going to Alexandria.
1671 J. Crowne Juliana i. 8
The Muscoviters invaded us.
Forms: 16 Muscouitish, 16 19– Muscovitish.
Etymology:
< Muscovite n.1 + -ish suffix1. Compare earlier Muscovite adj., Muscovian adj. Now arch.
Of or relating to Muscovy or its inhabitants; Muscovite.
1622 H. Peacham Compl. Gentleman xiv. 183
P. Jouius in the second booke of his Historie..entreateth of the Muscouitish affaires.
1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus v. 105
Romadanowski the Muscovitish General.
1698 B. Connor Hist. Poland I. i. v. 255
This city is..much frequented by the Turkish, Armenian, Muscovitish and German Merchants.
Forms:
15 Muskovie, 16 Moschovy, 16 Moscouia, 16 Muschovy, 16 Muscouia, 16 Muscouie, 16 Muscouy, 16 Muscovia, 16 Muscovie, 16 Muskevia, 16–17 Moscovy, 16– Muscovy, 18Muskovy.
Etymology:
< Muscovy, name of the principality of Moscow (attested in 16th cent. in forms Moscouie , Moscouy , Moscouia , Moscovy , Muscouy , Muskovia , etc.; now hist.)
< post-classical Latin Moscovia , Muscovia Muscovy (1543 or earlier; compare Russian Moskovija Muscovy, the principality of Moscow)
< Old Russian Moskov′ Moscow (see Moscow n.) + post-classical Latin -ia-y suffix3. Compare Middle French, French Moscovie Muscovy (1577 or earlier).
I. Compounds.
* Designating things originating in, obtained from, or associated with Muscovy.
1 a. Muscovy glass n. the mineral muscovite, esp. as used to make translucent windows; = muscovite n.2 Now chieflyhist.
1573 in P. Cunningham Revels at Court (1842) 42
Muskovie glasse.
1604 J. Marston & J. Webster Malcontent (new ed.) i. vii. sig. C4v,
She were an excellent Lady, but that hir face peeleth like Muscouie glasse.
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xxviii. 252
The gallery windowes of my cabin..were of light moscouia glasse or talke.
1653 G. Plattes Discov. Subterraneal Treasure 44
As for these base Minerals, viz. Cinabar naturall, Antimony, Sulphur, Auripigment, Arsenick, Talcum, Muscovy glasse, Emery,..because they are of small value, and not worth the seeking for on set purpose, I will omit further to discourse of them.
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 211
Mr. Sage found muscovy glass infusible in the strongest heat.
†b. Muscovy lantern n. a lantern fitted with panes of muscovite. Obs.
1606 T. Dekker Newes from Hell sig. F4v,
A wise man might haue taken it for the Snuffe of a candle in a Muscouie Lanthorne.
†c. Muscovy talc n. = muscovite n.2 Obs.
1677 R. Hooke Lampas 4
A thin Plate of Selenitis or Muscovia Talk.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Selenites,
Some give the same Appellation to Muscovy-Talc, from an Opinion, that its Brightness increases and diminishes with the Moon.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Talc,
Muscovy talc, a kind of foliaceous body, well known by the English name of isinglass.
†2. a. Muscovy hide n. Russia leather. Obs.
1604 Rates Marchandizes sig. E4v,
Red hides or Muscouia hides.
1618 T. Barker in St. Papers, Col., E. Indies 1617–21 (1870) 159
Tin, brass, morse teeth, Muscovy hides.
1624 Boyle in Lismore Papers (1886) II. 143,
I receaved from Sir Wm Hull 30 redd muskevia hydes.
b. Muscovy leather n. Russia leather. Obs.
1604 Rates Marchandizes sig. E2,
Muscouia Leather.
1647 J. Fletcher Captaine ii. ii. 54
His hide, (for sure he is a beast) is ranker Then the Muscovy leather: and grain'd like it.
†3. Muscovy yarn n. yarn obtained from Muscovy. Obs.rare.
1604 Rates Marchandizes sig. I2,
Spruce or Muscouia yearne.
** Uses arising by confusion with musk n. or post-classical Latin moscatus, muscatus (see muscat n.), esp. in the names of animals and plants.
4. Muscovy duck n.
a. A large tree-nesting duck, Cairina moschata, native to Central and South America but widely domesticated elsewhere, with variable black and white plumage and, in the male, a red carbuncle on the face and bill.
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 35
Muscovia-Ducks..larded with the fat of this Porke..are an excellent bak'd-meat.
1678 J. Ray tr. F. Willughby Ornithol. 381
The Muscovy Duck... It is in this kind the biggest of all we have hitherto seen.
1712 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 150
Muscovy Ducks.
1792 G. Imlay Topogr. Descr. Western Territory N. Amer. 88
The provision consist of..Muscovy ducks, turkeys, geese, dunghill fowls and pidgeons.
†5. Muscovy rat n. the muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus. Obs.
1693 J. Ray Synopsis Animalium Quadrupedum 217
Mus Aquaticus..The Muscovy or Musk Rat.
1781 T. Pennant Hist. Quadrupeds II. 476
Shrew, Musky..Muscovy or Musk rat.
II. Simple uses.
†6. The musk storksbill, Erodium moschatum. Obs.
1648 J. Bobart Eng. Catal. , in Catal. Plantarum Horti Medici Oxon.
Gerani[u]m syl: Moschat: fol: Wild Moschovy.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 103/2
Knotted Cranes Bill... This smelleth sweet like musk, and therefore is of many Flowerists, called Muscovy.
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Geranium..Moschatum,
Musked Crane's-bill or Moscovy.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 609
Geranium moschatum,..Musked cranes-bill. Muscovy.
The citations in chronological order.
1535 Th[e] musscavittes hath geven battaile...
1537 The Moscouites .... Moscouites ...called Moscouia.
1555 ... Moscouites ... Moscouia or Mosca.
1570 The wide Empire of the Moschouite.
1573 (1842) Muskovie glasse.
1577 The Russians and Moscouians ...
1577 As, in the Sclauonian, or Moschouite, the Arabik,..
1578a (1899) ...Swaden aganes the Muscovianis.
1579 Your Muscouian straungers, your Scithian monsters.
1598 Appariled thus, like Muscouites, of Russians.
1598 Disguysd like Muscouites in shapeless geare.
1601 Certaine Englishmen sayling by the Moscouite sea,..haue ...
1604 ... hir face peeleth like Muscouie glasse.
1604 Muscouia Leather.
1604 Red hides or Muscouia hides.
1604 Spruce or Muscouia yearne.
1606 ... a candle in a Muscouie Lanthorne.
1617 A Ruscian or Moscouian.
1618 (1870) Tin, brass, morse teeth, Muscovy hides.
1622 ... his Historie..entreateth of the Muscouitish affaires.
1624 (1886) I receaved from Sir Wm Hull 30 redd muskevia hydes.
1634 Casements of broad cleere Muscouian glasse.
1635 (1639) Of the Greeke Communion are the Muscovites, the Russes ...
1644 The gallery windowes of my cabin..were of light moscouia glasse ...
1647 His hide, (for sure he is a beast) is ranker Then the Muscovy leather: ...
1648 Gerani[u]m syl: Moschat: ... Moschovy.
1650 ...the Muscoviters and Polish wars [It. dalle guerre de' Moscouiti, e Polacchi].
1653 ..., Muscovy glasse, Emery,..
1655 The Assembly of States, was called against the Muscovians.
1657 Muscovia-Ducks..larded with the fat of this Porke...
1662 Finding the Muscovian Pilot...
1662 ... The Muscovites call it Ikary, ... Italians Cavaiar.
1664 (1836) Mr. Gibbs gave mee a Moscovian rat's skin.
1668 I was thither carri'd Captive, being taking by a Muscoviter ...
1671 The Muscoviters invaded us.
1674 ... among the Muscovian Laplanders.
1676 The Moscovite Language.
1677 A thin Plate of Selenitis or Muscovia Talk.
1678 The Muscovy Duck... It is in this kind the biggest of ...
1684 Romadanowski the Muscovitish General.
1688 Knotted Cranes Bill... sweet like musk,... called Muscovy.
1691a (1692) Whether Muscovian ice be..harder than English ice.
1693 Mus Aquaticus..The Muscovy or Musk Rat.
1698 ... Armenian, Muscovitish and German Merchants.
1700 The young Moscovite, the mighty Head Whose Sovereign Terror...
1712 Muscovy Ducks.
1719 A faithful Muscovite Servant, or ...
1728 Some give the same Appellation to Muscovy-Talc, from an Opinion...
1731 Musked Crane's-bill or Moscovy.
1738 ...great Muscovian Czar, '...
1753 Muscovy talc, a kind of foliaceous body, ...
1781 Shrew, Musky..Muscovy or Musk rat.
1788 The Moscovites..were as jealous as any people in the south.
1792 The provision consist of..Muscovy ducks...
1794 Mr. Sage found muscovy glass infusible in the...
1796 What the fierce Rival's of Moscovian Czar?
1796 ... cranes-bill. Muscovy.
1797 The Muscovite priests use exorcisms at the administration of baptism.
Forms:
15–16 Moscouian, 15–16 Muscouian, 15– Muscovian, 16– Moscovian.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Moscovia, Muscovia Muscovy n. + -an suffix. Compare earlier Muscovite n.1 and adj. Compare Moscovian adj. and n.
A. n.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 31v,
The Russians and Moscouians [L. Sarmatae].
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 306
Men of weir..to help the King of Swaden aganes the Muscovianis.
1617 T. Middleton Tryumphs of Honor & Industry sig. B3,
A Ruscian or Moscouian.
1655 J. Owen Vindiciæ Evangelicæ Pref. 17
The Assembly of States, was called against the Muscovians.
B. adj.
1579 T. Lodge Protogenes 20
Your Muscouian straungers, your Scithian monsters.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 106
Casements of broad cleere Muscouian glasse.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 180
Finding the Muscovian Pilot..absolutely ignorant in the business of Navigation.
1664 E. Browne in Sir T. Browne Wks. (1836) I. 47
Mr. Gibbs gave mee a Moscovian rat's skin.
1674 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. Northern Countries 52
The pleasant Funeral formalities among the Muscovian Laplanders.
a1691 R. Boyle Gen. Hist. Air (1692) 187
Whether Muscovian ice be..harder than English ice.
1738 W. Meston On Death of Charles XII King of Sweden in Decadem Alteram 11
Lament his Fall, thou great Muscovian Czar, 'Twas he who taught thee first the Art of War.
1796 J. Cottle War in Poems 84
What the fierce Rival's of Moscovian Czar?
Forms: 15 Moschouite, 15 Muskouit, 15 Musscavitte, 15–16 Moscouite, 15–16 Muscouite, 15–16 Muscovit, 16 Moscovit, 16 Muscouit, 16– Moscovite, 16– Muscovite.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Moscovita, Muscovita, Moschovita, etc., Russian, inhabitant of Moscow or the principality of Muscovy (1528; also Moscoviticus , adjective (1549))
< Moscovia ,Muscovia Muscovy n. + -ita -ite suffix1. Compare Middle French, French Moscovite Russian (1542 in Rabelais; earlier printed as Mosconite, 1534), inhabitant of Moscow (1808), also as adjective (1584), German †Moscoviten (plural, 1513; German Moskoviter (now arch.)).
The use of the suffix -ita -ite suffix1 in the formation of the noun may perhaps have been influenced by Old Russian muskovitin (late 16th cent. as Muscouytyn in a Russian–German phrasebook, glossed ‘ein Muscauer’). Compare also Old Russian, Russian moskvič (1660 or earlier), Russian moskvitin (1704 or earlier), moskvitjanin (1801 or earlier). Russian moskovit (20th cent.) is after post-classical Latin Moscovita. Compare Muscovian n. and adj., Moscovianadj. and n.
A native or inhabitant of Moscow or of the former principality of Muscovy. More generally: a Russian (now arch.).
1535 J. Wallop Let. 6 Sept. in MS. Cotton Calig. EII. f. 217,
Th[e] musscavittes hath geven battaile to the King of pow[lles].
1537 tr. Original & Sprynge all Sectes f. 47,
The Moscouites and whyte Russes fayth. Moscouites is a nacion in Asia whose lande is called Moscouia.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 256v,
They were cauled Moscouites of the chiefe citie of al the prouince named Moscouia or Mosca.
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. aiiij,
The wide Empire of the Moschouite.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 122
Appariled thus, like Muscouites, of Russians.
1598 Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 303
Disguysd like Muscouites in shapeless geare.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianogr. (1639) 47
Of the Greeke Communion are the Muscovites, the Russes in Poland [etc.].
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 87
The spawn of Fish, especially that of Sturgeon, they order thus... The Muscovites call it Ikary, and the Italians Cavaiar.
1700 M. Prior Carmen Sæculare 11
The young Moscovite, the mighty Head Whose Sovereign Terror Forty Nations dread.
1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. v. lxv. 523
The Moscovites..were as jealous as any people in the south.
B. adj.
Of or relating to Moscow or Muscovy, or their inhabitants; (gen.) Russian.
1577 J. Dee Gen. Mem. Arte Nauig. 62
As, in the Sclauonian, or Moschouite, the Arabik,..the Chiny Language.
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 105
Certaine Englishmen sayling by the Moscouite sea,..haue pierced euen to Cathaia.
1676 tr. A. Thevet Prosopographia (new ed.) 80 in T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (new ed.)
The Moscovite Language.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 364
A faithful Muscovite Servant, or rather a Siberian Servant.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 574/1
The Muscovite priests use exorcisms at the administration of baptism.
Etymology:
< post-classical Latin Muscovita Muscovite n.1 or Italian Muscovita (1648 or earlier;
< Latin; see quot. 1650) + -er suffix1. Compare earlier Muscovite n.1, Muscovian n.
Now hist.
An inhabitant of Muscovy; a Muscovite. Also as adj.
1650 R. Gentilis tr. V. Malvezzi Considerations Lives Alcibiades & Corialanus 225
If Gustavus..had not bin intangled in the Muscoviters and Polish wars [It. dalle guerre de' Moscouiti, e Polacchi].
1668 T. St. Serfe Tarugo's Wiles ii. ii. 11,
I was thither carri'd Captive, being taking by a Muscoviter Man of War, going to Alexandria.
1671 J. Crowne Juliana i. 8
The Muscoviters invaded us.
Forms: 16 Muscouitish, 16 19– Muscovitish.
Etymology:
< Muscovite n.1 + -ish suffix1. Compare earlier Muscovite adj., Muscovian adj. Now arch.
Of or relating to Muscovy or its inhabitants; Muscovite.
1622 H. Peacham Compl. Gentleman xiv. 183
P. Jouius in the second booke of his Historie..entreateth of the Muscouitish affaires.
1684 Scanderbeg Redivivus v. 105
Romadanowski the Muscovitish General.
1698 B. Connor Hist. Poland I. i. v. 255
This city is..much frequented by the Turkish, Armenian, Muscovitish and German Merchants.
Forms:
15 Muskovie, 16 Moschovy, 16 Moscouia, 16 Muschovy, 16 Muscouia, 16 Muscouie, 16 Muscouy, 16 Muscovia, 16 Muscovie, 16 Muskevia, 16–17 Moscovy, 16– Muscovy, 18Muskovy.
Etymology:
< Muscovy, name of the principality of Moscow (attested in 16th cent. in forms Moscouie , Moscouy , Moscouia , Moscovy , Muscouy , Muskovia , etc.; now hist.)
< post-classical Latin Moscovia , Muscovia Muscovy (1543 or earlier; compare Russian Moskovija Muscovy, the principality of Moscow)
< Old Russian Moskov′ Moscow (see Moscow n.) + post-classical Latin -ia-y suffix3. Compare Middle French, French Moscovie Muscovy (1577 or earlier).
I. Compounds.
* Designating things originating in, obtained from, or associated with Muscovy.
1 a. Muscovy glass n. the mineral muscovite, esp. as used to make translucent windows; = muscovite n.2 Now chieflyhist.
1573 in P. Cunningham Revels at Court (1842) 42
Muskovie glasse.
1604 J. Marston & J. Webster Malcontent (new ed.) i. vii. sig. C4v,
She were an excellent Lady, but that hir face peeleth like Muscouie glasse.
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xxviii. 252
The gallery windowes of my cabin..were of light moscouia glasse or talke.
1653 G. Plattes Discov. Subterraneal Treasure 44
As for these base Minerals, viz. Cinabar naturall, Antimony, Sulphur, Auripigment, Arsenick, Talcum, Muscovy glasse, Emery,..because they are of small value, and not worth the seeking for on set purpose, I will omit further to discourse of them.
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 211
Mr. Sage found muscovy glass infusible in the strongest heat.
†b. Muscovy lantern n. a lantern fitted with panes of muscovite. Obs.
1606 T. Dekker Newes from Hell sig. F4v,
A wise man might haue taken it for the Snuffe of a candle in a Muscouie Lanthorne.
†c. Muscovy talc n. = muscovite n.2 Obs.
1677 R. Hooke Lampas 4
A thin Plate of Selenitis or Muscovia Talk.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Selenites,
Some give the same Appellation to Muscovy-Talc, from an Opinion, that its Brightness increases and diminishes with the Moon.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Talc,
Muscovy talc, a kind of foliaceous body, well known by the English name of isinglass.
†2. a. Muscovy hide n. Russia leather. Obs.
1604 Rates Marchandizes sig. E4v,
Red hides or Muscouia hides.
1618 T. Barker in St. Papers, Col., E. Indies 1617–21 (1870) 159
Tin, brass, morse teeth, Muscovy hides.
1624 Boyle in Lismore Papers (1886) II. 143,
I receaved from Sir Wm Hull 30 redd muskevia hydes.
b. Muscovy leather n. Russia leather. Obs.
1604 Rates Marchandizes sig. E2,
Muscouia Leather.
1647 J. Fletcher Captaine ii. ii. 54
His hide, (for sure he is a beast) is ranker Then the Muscovy leather: and grain'd like it.
†3. Muscovy yarn n. yarn obtained from Muscovy. Obs.rare.
1604 Rates Marchandizes sig. I2,
Spruce or Muscouia yearne.
** Uses arising by confusion with musk n. or post-classical Latin moscatus, muscatus (see muscat n.), esp. in the names of animals and plants.
4. Muscovy duck n.
a. A large tree-nesting duck, Cairina moschata, native to Central and South America but widely domesticated elsewhere, with variable black and white plumage and, in the male, a red carbuncle on the face and bill.
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 35
Muscovia-Ducks..larded with the fat of this Porke..are an excellent bak'd-meat.
1678 J. Ray tr. F. Willughby Ornithol. 381
The Muscovy Duck... It is in this kind the biggest of all we have hitherto seen.
1712 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 150
Muscovy Ducks.
1792 G. Imlay Topogr. Descr. Western Territory N. Amer. 88
The provision consist of..Muscovy ducks, turkeys, geese, dunghill fowls and pidgeons.
†5. Muscovy rat n. the muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus. Obs.
1693 J. Ray Synopsis Animalium Quadrupedum 217
Mus Aquaticus..The Muscovy or Musk Rat.
1781 T. Pennant Hist. Quadrupeds II. 476
Shrew, Musky..Muscovy or Musk rat.
II. Simple uses.
†6. The musk storksbill, Erodium moschatum. Obs.
1648 J. Bobart Eng. Catal. , in Catal. Plantarum Horti Medici Oxon.
Gerani[u]m syl: Moschat: fol: Wild Moschovy.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 103/2
Knotted Cranes Bill... This smelleth sweet like musk, and therefore is of many Flowerists, called Muscovy.
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Geranium..Moschatum,
Musked Crane's-bill or Moscovy.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 609
Geranium moschatum,..Musked cranes-bill. Muscovy.
The citations in chronological order.
1535 Th[e] musscavittes hath geven battaile...
1537 The Moscouites .... Moscouites ...called Moscouia.
1555 ... Moscouites ... Moscouia or Mosca.
1570 The wide Empire of the Moschouite.
1573 (1842) Muskovie glasse.
1577 The Russians and Moscouians ...
1577 As, in the Sclauonian, or Moschouite, the Arabik,..
1578a (1899) ...Swaden aganes the Muscovianis.
1579 Your Muscouian straungers, your Scithian monsters.
1598 Appariled thus, like Muscouites, of Russians.
1598 Disguysd like Muscouites in shapeless geare.
1601 Certaine Englishmen sayling by the Moscouite sea,..haue ...
1604 ... hir face peeleth like Muscouie glasse.
1604 Muscouia Leather.
1604 Red hides or Muscouia hides.
1604 Spruce or Muscouia yearne.
1606 ... a candle in a Muscouie Lanthorne.
1617 A Ruscian or Moscouian.
1618 (1870) Tin, brass, morse teeth, Muscovy hides.
1622 ... his Historie..entreateth of the Muscouitish affaires.
1624 (1886) I receaved from Sir Wm Hull 30 redd muskevia hydes.
1634 Casements of broad cleere Muscouian glasse.
1635 (1639) Of the Greeke Communion are the Muscovites, the Russes ...
1644 The gallery windowes of my cabin..were of light moscouia glasse ...
1647 His hide, (for sure he is a beast) is ranker Then the Muscovy leather: ...
1648 Gerani[u]m syl: Moschat: ... Moschovy.
1650 ...the Muscoviters and Polish wars [It. dalle guerre de' Moscouiti, e Polacchi].
1653 ..., Muscovy glasse, Emery,..
1655 The Assembly of States, was called against the Muscovians.
1657 Muscovia-Ducks..larded with the fat of this Porke...
1662 Finding the Muscovian Pilot...
1662 ... The Muscovites call it Ikary, ... Italians Cavaiar.
1664 (1836) Mr. Gibbs gave mee a Moscovian rat's skin.
1668 I was thither carri'd Captive, being taking by a Muscoviter ...
1671 The Muscoviters invaded us.
1674 ... among the Muscovian Laplanders.
1676 The Moscovite Language.
1677 A thin Plate of Selenitis or Muscovia Talk.
1678 The Muscovy Duck... It is in this kind the biggest of ...
1684 Romadanowski the Muscovitish General.
1688 Knotted Cranes Bill... sweet like musk,... called Muscovy.
1691a (1692) Whether Muscovian ice be..harder than English ice.
1693 Mus Aquaticus..The Muscovy or Musk Rat.
1698 ... Armenian, Muscovitish and German Merchants.
1700 The young Moscovite, the mighty Head Whose Sovereign Terror...
1712 Muscovy Ducks.
1719 A faithful Muscovite Servant, or ...
1728 Some give the same Appellation to Muscovy-Talc, from an Opinion...
1731 Musked Crane's-bill or Moscovy.
1738 ...great Muscovian Czar, '...
1753 Muscovy talc, a kind of foliaceous body, ...
1781 Shrew, Musky..Muscovy or Musk rat.
1788 The Moscovites..were as jealous as any people in the south.
1792 The provision consist of..Muscovy ducks...
1794 Mr. Sage found muscovy glass infusible in the...
1796 What the fierce Rival's of Moscovian Czar?
1796 ... cranes-bill. Muscovy.
1797 The Muscovite priests use exorcisms at the administration of baptism.