Also 4 bol, 5–6 boole. [ad. med.L. bōlus, a. Gr. βῶλος clod of earth; first used in Eng. in bole armeniac or armoniac: thence extended to similar substances.]
1. The name of several kinds of fine, compact, earthy or unctuous clay, usually of a yellow, red or brown color due to the presence of iron oxide.
1641. French, Distill., iii. (1651), 78. Such things as will flow must have bole, or powder of brick mixed with them.
1645. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 143. A … paper of a red astringent powder, I suppose of bole.
1686. Phil. Trans., XVI. 144. It may perhaps be better reckon’d amongst Boles than Stones.
1759. B. Martin, Nat. Hist. Eng., I. 73. A red Bole, called by the Country People Redding, or Ruddle.
1843. Portlock, Geol., 152. A soft clayey amygdaloid, decomposing into a rich and deep red bole.
1858. Dana, Min., 476.
b. spec. Bole armeniac, formerly also armoniak, etc.: an astringent earth brought from Armenia, and formerly used as an antidote and styptic.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Chan. Yem. Prol. & T., 238. Bol armoniak [armonyak, -ac, amoniak] verdegres, boras.
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, liii. 24. Take of Terre sigillate, of boole Armoniake, of eche an unce.
1558. Warde, Alexis’ Secr. (1568), 40 b. Take … Bolearmenicke.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Bolarmenico, Bolearminack.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 34. Plaister is made thereof with Bole-Armorick.
1610. Markham, Masterp., II. cxxxii. 435. Take of bolearmony a quarterne.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 701. Bole-Arminick is the most Cold of them.
1718. Quincy, Compl. Disp., 107. Bole Armonick … is a natural Earth.
1758. J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 94. A Defensitive composed of Bole Armenia.
1799. G. Smith, Laborat., II. 401. Take … bole armenic, parched barley, [etc.].
1832. Fraser’s Mag., VI. 714. The best toothpowder in the world is Armenian bole.
† 2. A large pill, a BOLUS; also fig. Obs.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 141. Thirty grains of Lentils swallowed down by way of Bole.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., III. xvi. 57. Ignorant … persons, who swallow down the bole and the box that carries it.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., II. s.v. Water Germander, The plant … may … be prescribed in Boles as well as in infusion.
