Obs. exc. fig. [f. EYE sb.1 + SALVE.] Ointment for the eyes.

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c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 114. Colliria, eaʓsealfe.

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c. 1200.  Ormin, 1852. Hallȝhe læchedom And sawless eȝhesallfe.

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1526.  Bible (Tindale), Rev. iii. 18. Anoynt thyne eyes with eye salve, that thou mayste se.

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1616.  Surfl. & Markh., Countrey Farme, 137. An Eye-salue made of the iuice of ground Iuie stampe in a Woodden Mortar.

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1784.  Cowper, Task, II. 203. Go, dress thine eye with eyesalve.

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  fig.  1550.  Bale, Image Both Ch., G iv. Anoynt thyne eyes … with the eye salve of clerenes which is Iesus Christe.

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1641.  Milton, Reform., I. (1851), 30. If we will but purge with sovrain eyesalve that intellectual ray which God hath planted in us.

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1677.  Gilpin, Dæmonol. (1867), 69. Where grace, as the only eye-salve, doth not restore the sight.

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