Also 6 epecur. [perh. an appellative use of Epicure (cf. Fr. Épicure, It. Epicuro), ad. L. Epicūrus (as pr. name now used in Lat. form), a. Gr. Ἐπίκουρος, the name of an Athenian philosopher c. 300 B.C. It may, however, be ad. late L. epicūrius (= L. epicūrēus) Epicurean, f. Epicūrus; cf. Vergyle, Ovyde, ad. L. Vergilius, Ovidius. See EPICUREE, EPICURY.
It does not appear that epicure as a common noun was ever current in Fr.; a single instance (pl. epicures, in sense 2) is cited by Godef. from the Tresor of Brunetto Latino (13th c.), who in an identical passage in one of his Italian works uses epicuri. The Italian lexicographers, however, suggest that the form epicuri, both in this case and in the two or three instances of 14–15th c. in which it is used for ‘Epicureans,’ is a scribal error for the more usual epicurei or epicurii.]
† 1. A disciple or follower of Epicurus; = EPICUREAN B. 1. a. A philosopher of the school of Epicurus. Obs.
The distinctive doctrines of Epicurus were, 1. That the highest good is pleasure, which he identified with the practice of virtue. 2. That the gods do not concern themselves at all with men’s affairs. 3. That the external world resulted from a fortuitous concourse of atoms.
[1548. R. Hutten, Sun of Divin., R v b. To confyrme oure myndes against Epicures opinions.
1589. Cooper, Admon., 118. The school of Epicure, and the Atheists, is mightily increased in these dayes.]
1547. Bauldwin, Mor. Philos., 20 a. Scholers of every secte became Epicures, but none of the Epicures became of other sectes.
1599. Davies, Immort. Soul (1876), I. 26. Epicures make them swarmes of atomies.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. lxii. 96. I care not for the planed Stoic, there is a Sect between him and the Epicure.
1772. Fletcher, Wks. (1795), I. 70. Unrenewed Man has imagined with the Epicure, a careless God.
† b. loosely. One who disbelieves in the divine government of the world, and in a future life; one who recognizes no religious motives for conduct.
1545. Joye, Exp. Dan. xii. [xi.] 222. He describeth the furye of the Epicures … euen to contempne the very god.
1549. Latimer, Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 54. Or els beleue (as ye Epecurs do) that after this life ther is neither hel nor heauen.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Ch. Porch, x. Were I an Epicure, I could bate swearing.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 819. This Price lived a professed, unpreaching Epicure and Arminian.
† 2. One who gives himself up to sensual pleasure, esp. to enting; a glutton, sybarite.
1565. in Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xlv. 462. He marvelled why Feckenham should call him Epicure [because he did not fast].
1575. T. Rogers, Sec. Coming Christ (1577), 12 b. Least happely by possessing much, they … fal into ryotousnesse, and so become Epicures?
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. iii. 8. Then fly, false Thanes, And mingle with the English Epicures.
1675. Traherne, Chr. Ethicks, App. 573. An Epicure is for his Wine, or Women, or Feasts continually.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), I. 270. Nobody was less of an epicure than Epicurus himself.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), V. 154. The poultry kind may be considered as sensual epicures, solely governed by their appetites.
3. (The current sense.) One who cultivates a refined taste for the pleasures of the table; one who is choice and dainty in eating and drinking.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1589), I. 210. Let us … forsake the discipline and life of Epicures, and beware that our pallate … be not moore sensible than our hart.
a. 1639. W. Whateley, Prototypes, II. xxxiv. (1646), 165. Such an epicure was Potiphar, that his mind soared little higher then a beasts doth, to please his tooth and pamper his fish with delicacies.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., III. i. § 18. 417. More sweetness in knowledge, then the little Epicure, the Bee tasts in his choicest flowers?
1756–82. J. Warton, Ess. Pope, II. x. 129–30. Who could imagine that … our author himself was a great epicure?
1814. Scott, Wav., xxix. As an epicure protracts, by sipping slowly, the enjoyment of a delicious beverage.
1872. Yeats, Growth Comm., 6. Lucullus, a more refined epicure.
b. transf.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, I. II. 49. The Cardinals … play the Epicures with Musick as well as Meat.
1798. Ferriar, Illustr. Sterne, ii. 47. This is excellently calculated to excite the appetite of literary epicures.
1823. Chalmers, Serm., I. 382. Your epicures of feeling who riot in all the luxury of theatrical emotion.
1872. O. W. Holmes, Poet Breakf.-t., ii. 54. I am afraid I am becoming an epicure in words.
4. attrib. and Comb.
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 70. Democles … spent his time Epicure-like in all kinde of pleasures.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., 89 b. Like one of Rome’s Epicure Emperors.
1661. Pepys, Diary, 3 May. The exceeding unmannerly and epicure-like palate of Mr. Creed.
1852. Dickens, Bleak Ho., vi. I have the epicure-like feeling.
