arch. or Obs. [f. BRIDE- = wedding.] a. A cup or bowl handed round at a wedding. b. A cup of spiced ingredients prepared at night for the ‘bride-couple.’ Also fig.
1554. Philpot, Exam. & Writ., 241. God doth call me (most unworthy) to drink of the Bride-cup of his Son.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 15. The drynke of my bride cup I should haue forborne.
1630. B. Jonson, New Inn, V. i. Get our bed ready, chamberlain, And, host, a bride-cup; you have rare conceits, And good ingredients.
1633. Jack of Newbery, in Laneham’s Let. (1871), 20. There was a fair bride-cup of silver gilt carried before her, wherein was a goodly branch of rosemary.
1822. W. Irving, Braceb. Hall, II. 323. The butler bore before her the bride-cup.
